MNI 5 THINGS: Japan Nov Consumer Confidence Down On Econ Fears

--Japan Nov Consumer Confidence Index 42.9 Vs Oct 43.0 

--Japan Govt Keeps View: Consumer Confidence shows weak moves

     TOKYO (MNI) - Japan's consumer confidence index hit a near two-year low in

November, falling 0.1 point to 42.9 on a seasonally adjusted basis, the second

straight month-on-month drop, according to the Consumer Confidence Survey

released by the Cabinet Office Friday.

     November's 42.9 is the lowest level since December 2016 when it stood at

42.8.

     The fall came on concerns over a worsening of the economy, with ongoing

global trade friction and labour market situation cited as factors, the survey

suggested.

     --The Cabinet Office maintained its overall assessment, saying, "Consumer

confidence showed weak moves."

     --Consumers were more optimistic about two of the four key aspects that

affect income gains and whether it would be a good time to buy durable goods

over the next six months.

     --Consumers were more pessimistic about two of the four key aspects that

affect sentiment -- overall economic well-being and jobs prospects. The

sub-index on job prospects marked the second straight m/m drop.

     --The index on asset prices, which is not one of the sub-indexes used to

calculate overall consumer confidence, showed the second straight month-on-month

fall in four months, down 0.6 points to 42.6 after falling 0.2 point the

previous month.

     --The survey also showed that the public's inflation expectations for 12

months ahead rose, the fourth straight rise. The share of those projecting price

rises increased to 84.5% in November from 82.9% in October. The share of

respondents forecasting lower prices increased to 3.7% from 3.4%.

--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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