MNI BRIEF: Japan's Feb Consumer Confidence Up For Third Month

Japan's consumer confidence index posted the third straight rise in February as most components improved from the previous month, but Bank of Japan officials are worried about weaker spending as consumption by low-income household weakens, data released by the Cabinet Office on Thursday showed.

The consumer confidence index rose 31.1 in February from 31.0 in January, the latest Consumer Confidence Survey data showed. The survey was conducted from February 2 to February 20.

The sub-index for asset prices, not included in calculating overall consumer confidence, stood at 37.1 in February, up from 35.1 in January.

The data also showed that share of respondents projecting consumer price gains rose to 94.3% in February from 93.8% in January. The share of respondents forecasting lower prices fell to 2.4% from 2.5.%