— Japan Apr SA Consumer Confidence Index 33.1 Vs Mar 38.6
— Japan Apr SA Consumer Confidence Posts 3rd M/M Fall In Row
— Japan Apr Confidence Index Lowest Since April 2009
— Japan Cuts Repeats View: Consumer Confidence Is Worsening
TOKYO (MNI) – Japan’s seasonally adjusted Consumer Confidence
Survey index tumbled to a two-year low as the March 11 earthquake dashed
prospects for income growth, general economic well-being and job
security, data released by the Cabinet Office showed on Monday.
The closely watched index slumped to 33.1 in April from 38.6 in
March, hitting the lowest level since April 2009, when it stood at 32.0.
Consumer confidence also fell for the third straight month and the
5.5-point fall in April was the largest drop on record, the data showed.
The Cabinet Office lowered its assessment based on the April index,
saying that “consumer confidence is worsening.”
Last month, it said about the March index, “Consumer confidence now
shows weakness.” It was the first downgrade in four months.
In the April data, all four sub-indexes — overall economic
well-being, income growth, job security and willingness to buy durable
goods — deteriorated from the previous month.
Compared to a year earlier, the overall index fell 8.7 points in
April, marking the second straight y/y drop after a 2.7-point fall in
March.
The latest survey was conducted on April 15, covering 6,720
households, of which 4,981 responded.
tokyo@marketnews.com
** Market News International Tokyo Newsroom: 81-3-5403-4835 **
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