Japan Household Spending Rises 2.9 Pct in Nov.

Tokyo, Jan. 9 (Jiji Press)–Household spending in Japan rose 2.9 pct in November from a year earlier after adjustment for inflation as food spending rebounded, the internal affairs ministry said Friday. Consumption spending by households with two or more members totaled 314,242 yen on average. In October, spending fell 3 pct. In November, food spending rose 0.9 pct, its first increase in six months, driven higher by a rebound in fruit such as mandarins and persimmons, which suffered poor harvests a year earlier. More holidays than a year earlier boosted spending on dining out and meat. Rice spending fell 0.9 pct, the first decline in three months, as households bought smaller quantities. Clothing and footwear spending climbed 7.5 pct as falling temperatures spurred demand for winter apparel. Health care spending rose 2.6 pct, with purchases of masks and medicines increasing amid flu outbreaks. Spending on household durable goods jumped 32.7 pct, led by strong demand for items such as refrigerators and washing machines. By contrast, spending on utilities fell 1.2 pct. Water and sewerage charges decreased 4.3 pct after some local governments introduced fee reductions. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]