Average Japanese monthly household spending rose a price-adjusted 2.6 percent in August from a year earlier to 290,972 yen, up for the first time in two months due partly to the effects of government stimulus measures, the government said Friday.
The average monthly income of salaried households came to 466,393 yen, down 2.0 percent in real terms, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said in a preliminary report. The spending figure compares with the average market forecast of a 0.2 percent fall in a Kyodo News survey.
The average monthly income of salaried households came to 466,393 yen, down 2.0 percent in real terms, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said in a preliminary report. The spending figure compares with the average market forecast of a 0.2 percent fall in a Kyodo News survey.
The rise in household spending is also largely attributed to falls in prices compared with summer last year, when prices were affected by a surge in crude oil prices, and a ministry official said spending levels have continued to remain low since last year.
Outlays for entertainment and culture-related items, including flat- screen televisions, rose 10.0 percent and expenditures for durable household goods, such as air conditioners and refrigerators, grew 13.0 percent, backed by the government's "eco-point" incentive program.
The program is intended to promote the purchase of energy efficient consumer electronics appliances as part of the government's stimulus measures. Spending on food fell 0.4 percent, as people refrained from eating out and drinking beer due partly to cooler-than-usual temperatures this summer. Household spending figures are a key indicator of private consumption, which accounts for nearly 60 percent of Japanese gross domestic product.
Outlays for entertainment and culture-related items, including flat- screen televisions, rose 10.0 percent and expenditures for durable household goods, such as air conditioners and refrigerators, grew 13.0 percent, backed by the government's "eco-point" incentive program.
The program is intended to promote the purchase of energy efficient consumer electronics appliances as part of the government's stimulus measures. Spending on food fell 0.4 percent, as people refrained from eating out and drinking beer due partly to cooler-than-usual temperatures this summer. Household spending figures are a key indicator of private consumption, which accounts for nearly 60 percent of Japanese gross domestic product.
Japan's jobless rate down to 5.5% in August, 1st fall in a year
Japan's unemployment rate stood at 5.5 percent in August, down from an all-time high of 5.7 percent in July, the government said Friday. The unemployment rate unexpectedly fell for the first time since January, amid some positive signs emerging in business activities of big firms.
Still, the number of jobless is 3.61 million people, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said in a preliminary report. Of the total, 1.24 million had been laid off, up 610,000 from a year ago, the ministry said.
The ratio of job offers to job seekers, standing at a seasonally adjusted 0.42, is the lowest on record. The latest job data were released a day after the Bank of Japan's closely watched Tankan survey said Japanese business confidence improved in the three months to September. It was the second straight quarter of improvement marked for the first time in nearly three years.
New job offers in the manufacturing industry continued to plummet, down 41.3 percent from a year earlier. But it was better than the 46.3 percent drop in July. (Kyodo News)
Still, the number of jobless is 3.61 million people, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said in a preliminary report. Of the total, 1.24 million had been laid off, up 610,000 from a year ago, the ministry said.
The ratio of job offers to job seekers, standing at a seasonally adjusted 0.42, is the lowest on record. The latest job data were released a day after the Bank of Japan's closely watched Tankan survey said Japanese business confidence improved in the three months to September. It was the second straight quarter of improvement marked for the first time in nearly three years.
New job offers in the manufacturing industry continued to plummet, down 41.3 percent from a year earlier. But it was better than the 46.3 percent drop in July. (Kyodo News)
