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

--Japan Dec Consumer Confidence Index 39.1 Vs Nov 38.7 

--Japan Govt Keeps View: Consumer Confidence Improving

     TOKYO (MNI) - Japan's consumer confidence index rose 0.4 points for the

third consecutive month to a

seasonally adjusted 39.1 in December, the latest Consumer Confidence Survey

released by the Cabinet Office showed Wednesday.

     --The rise, following a 2.5 point rise to 38.7 in November, was driven

mainly by a brighter outlook for purchases of durable goods, income and general

economic well-being.

     --The Cabinet Office kept to its assessment from the previous month, saying

consumer confidence was "improving". 

     --Consumers were more optimistic on three out of the four key sentiment

sectors; that the next six months would be a good time to buy durable goods, for

overall economic well-being and income.

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

consumer confidence, showed the first drop in two months, down 0.4 points to

39.7 after rising 0.9 points to 40.1 in the previous month. 

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

months is flat, falling to 14.1% from 14.3% for the first drop in three months.

The share of those projecting price gains rose to 78.8% in December, after

falling 4.5 points to 78.1% in November. The share of respondents forecasting

lower prices

fell to 4.6% in December from 4.7% in November, for the first drop in two

months.

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

--MNI Sydney Bureau; +61 405322399; email: lachlan.colquhoun.ext@marketnews.com

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