MNI DATA IMPACT: Japan May Household Spending +4.0% Y/Y

     TOKYO (MNI) - Japan's average monthly consumption expenditure per household

increased 4.0% on a yearly basis in May, a survey released by Japan's Ministry

of Internal Affairs and Communications showed Friday.

     --Spending by households with two or more people quickened to 4.0% y/y from

the previous month's 1.3% gain, posting the sixth straight y/y rise. The

increase came in higher the MNI survey median of a 1.4% y/y gain. 

     --May's acceleration was a result of higher expenditure on major items --

spending on housing jumped to 6.7% compared with April's 10.5% drop, which

weighed on overall expenditure by 0.40%, and fuel, light and water charges rose

sharply by 6.9% from previous 3.2% drop.

     --The average real income of households with salaried workers fell 0.2% y/y

from April's 1.1% gain, the first drop in seven months. 

     --Japan's government upgraded its view on household spending outlook,

saying it is "picking up", previously it says the household spending "shows

signs of pickup".

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

--MNI London Bureau; tel: +44 203-586-2225; email: les.commons@marketnews.com

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