Global CEO Outlook 2026 (Japan edition) (KPMG Switzerland)

Summary

• CEO confidence in three-year growth prospects of their company rose from 79% in 2025 to 84%.p.2
• Confidence in the global economy fell from 68% to 65%, the lowest level since 2021.p.2
• 68% of CEOs expect annual profit growth of at least 2.5%, up from 61% in 2025.p.2
• 45% of CEOs plan to increase investment in cyber and digital risk resilience, the largest investment area.p.2
• AI remains the top investment priority for 79% of CEOs, up from 71% in 2025.p.2
• 63% of CEOs said their main response on sustainability over the past year was integrating it further into business strategy.p.2

Key insights

1. 79% of CEOs feel increased pressure to deliver long-term growth.p.2
2. 66% of CEOs believe their AI efforts are progressing at the right pace or ahead of plan.p.2
3. 70% consider sustainability costs and returns in at least some investment decisions.p.2
4. 95% report organizational concern about AI's overall environmental impact.p.2
5. Supply chain resilience follows closely as a risk at 24%.p.5
6. Regulatory compliance and reporting follows cyber for increased investment at 36%, with AI integration at 32%.p.5