MNI DATA IMPACT: Japan Consumer Conf Index Up On Durable Buys

--Japan Nov Consumer Confidence Index 38.7 Vs Oct 36.2 

--Japan Govt Ups View: Consumer Confidence Improving

     TOKYO (MNI) - Japan's consumer confidence index rose 2.5 points to a

seasonally adjusted 38.7 in November, the second straight gain, the latest

Consumer Confidence Survey released by the Cabinet Office showed Friday.

     --The rise, following a 0.6 point rise to 36.2 in October, was driven

mainly by a brighter outlook for purchases of durable goods and economic

well-being.

     --The Cabinet Office upgraded its assessment from the previous month,

saying consumer confidence was "improving". The government last lowered its

assessment back in February.

     --Consumers were more optimistic on all the four key sentiment sectors; the

next six months would be a good time to buy durable goods, overall economic

well-being, income and labor situation.

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

consumer confidence, showed the first rise in two months, up 0.9 points to 40.1

after falling 1.4 points to 39.2 in the previous month. 

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

months is flat rose to 14.3% from 9.8% for the second straight rise. The share

of those projecting price gains fell to 78.1% in November, after falling 5.0

points to 82.6% in October. The share of respondents forecasting lower prices

fell to 4.7% in November from 5.2% in October, for the first drop in two months.

--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

[TOPICS: MAJDS$,M$A$$$,M$J$$$]