MNI DATA IMPACT: Japan September Household Spending +9.5% Y/Y

     TOKYO (MNI) - Japan's average monthly spending per household increased 9.5%

on a yearly basis in September, a survey released by Japan's Ministry of

Internal Affairs and Communications showed Friday.

     --Spending by households with two or more people surged 9.5% y/y from the

previous month's 1.0% gain, posting a tenth straight y/y rise. The increase came

in higher than the MNI survey median of a 7.8% y/y gain. 

     --September's surge was a result of higher expenditure on major items.

Spending on food increased 3.4% from August's 1.8% growth, and fuel, lighting

and water charges jumped by 9.5% from the previous 7.9% drop.

     --The average real income of households with salaried workers dropped 0.4%

y/y, the survey showed. 

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

repeating the line that it is "picking up". Previously the government view was

that 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$$$]