MNI 5 THINGS: Japan Consumer Confidence Down, Job Outlook Up

--Japan Feb Consumer Confidence Index 41.5 Vs 41.9 Jan 

--Japan Govt Lowers View: Consumer Confidence Weakening

     TOKYO (MNI) - Japan consumer confidence index fell 0.4 point to 41.5 in

February on a seasonally adjusted basis, the sixth straight monthly drop,

according to the Consumer Confidence Survey released by the Cabinet Office

Friday.

     The drop in the index was caused by weaker overall economic well-being and

the willingness to  buy larger consumer goods.

     --The Cabinet Office lowered its assessment, saying consumer confidence was

"weakening." The previous view was consumer confidence "showed weak moves."

     --Consumers were more pessimistic on the three out of the four key aspects

for their sentiment; overall economic well-being, income conditions and the next

six months would be a good time to buy durable goods, although they were more

optimistic about employment prospects.

     --The sub-index on asset prices, which is not included in calculating

overall consumer confidence, showed the first m/m rise in five months, up 1.2

points to 41.1 after falling 1.0 points to 39.9 in the previous month.

     --The survey also showed the public's inflation expectation for the next 12

months rose for a second straight month. The share of those projecting price

gains rose to 86.0% in February, up from 84.1% in January. The share of

respondents forecasting lower prices stood at 3.4%, down from 4.0% in January.

--MNI Tokyo Bureau; tel: +81 90-2175-0040; email: hiroshi.inoue@marketnews.com

--MNI London Bureau; tel: +44 203-586-2225; email: les.commons@marketnews.com

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