MNI DATA IMPACT: Japan March Household Spending Drops 6.0% Y/Y

     TOKYO (MNI) - Average monthly spending per household in Japan fell sharply

in March due to the coronavirus disruptions, according to a survey by Japan's

Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications released on Friday.

     --Spending by households with two or more people dipped further by 6.0% y/y

in March, faster than the previous month's 0.3% fall, marking the 6th monthly

decrease. The MNI survey had projected a 6.7% y/y drop. 

     --Spending on food decreased 2.4% y/y, sharply down from the previous 4.2%

y/y gain, but spending on fuel, lighting and water edged up 1.0% y/y, compared

with a 6.0% y/y drop in February.

     --The average real income of households with salaried workers rose 1.5%

y/y, after rising 1.7% y/y last month. 

     --Household spending declined 4.0% on a monthly basis in March, compared

with the previous month's 0.8% m/m rise, marking the third drop in four months.

--MNI Beijing Bureau; tel: +86 (10) 8532-5998; email: flora.guo@marketnews.com

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

[TOPICS: MAJDS$,MAUDR$,MAUDS$,M$A$$$,M$J$$$,M$U$$$]