— Japan Dec Consumer Confidence Index 40.1 Vs Nov 40.4
— Japan Govt Maintains View: Consumer Confidence Softer
TOKYO (MNI) – Japan’s Consumer Confidence Survey index fell to 40.1
in December from 40.4 in November, posting the sixth consecutive monthly
drop, on lingering concerns about job security, the Cabinet Office said
Monday.
Consumers continued to believe it was not the right time to buy
durable goods, also hampering a recovery in confidence, the survey
showed.
The December index was the lowest since February 2010, when the
index rose to 39.8 from 39.0 in January.
The Cabinet Office maintained its assessment, saying, “Consumer
confidence is softer.”
Last month, it downgraded its view on the November data from the
previous month, when it said the confidence “is nearly flat.”
In the December data, two of the four sub-indexes, overall economic
well-being and income growth, improved from the previous month. By
contrast, the other two sub-indices — willingness to buy durable goods
and employment conditions — worsened.
The index showing sentiment on asset values, which is not included
in the overall consumer confidence index, rose to 39.1 in December from
38.1 in November, showing the first improvement in two months.
Compared to a year earlier, the overall index was still up 2.5
points, posting the 20 straight y/y rise.
The latest survey was conducted on Dec. 15, covering 6,720
households, of which 5,040 responded.
skodama@marketnews.com
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