MNI DATA IMPACT: Japan April Sentiment Slumps As Lockdown Hits

--Japan April Econ Watchers Current Index 7.9; Mar 14.2 

--Japan April Watchers Outlook Index 16.6; Mar 18.8 

--Japan Govt Lowers View: Conditions Worsen Further, Severity likely to Increase

     TOKYO (MNI) - Japan's current sentiment index posted a third straight drop

in April, pressured by housing, retail sales, services and eating and drinking

services, a key government survey released Wednesday showed.

     The survey indicates whether respondents with jobs most sensitive to

economic conditions -- taxi and truck drivers, department-store sales staff and

restaurant and shop owners -- think economic conditions have improved or

worsened over the last three months.

     These are the key points from the latest Economy Watchers Survey, conducted

by the Cabinet Office between April 25 and April 30, before Prime Minister

Shinzo Abe on May 4 decided to extend the state of emergency until May 31.

     --Restaurants and retailers were among the hardest-hit businesses in the

poll, which targeted roughly 2,000 people, including store managers and taxi

drivers.

     --The Economy Watchers sentiment index for Japan's current economic climate

fell 6.3 points to 7.9 in April a seasonally adjusted basis, after falling 13.2

points to 14.2 in March.

     --The Watchers outlook index for two to three months ahead showed a fifth

straight drop in April, down 2.2 points to 16.6 after falling 5.8 points to 18.8

in March.

     --The Cabinet Office lowered its overall economic assessment based on the

Economy Watchers Survey, saying, "Conditions worsened further amid very severe

situation caused by the impact of the coronavirus. Looking ahead, severity will

likely increase."

--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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