Japan Real Time Charts and Data
Edward Hugh is only able to update this blog from time to time, but he does run a lively Twitter account with plenty of Japan related comment. He also maintains a collection of constantly updated Japan data charts with short updates on a Storify dedicated page Is Japan Once More Back in Deflation?
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Japan Retail Sales
Japan's retail sales rose at the slowest pace in nine months as higher prices for food and energy seem to have prompted consumers to spend less on clothing and other items. Sales climbed 0.1 percent in April from a year earlier, the Trade Ministry said today in Tokyo.
Sales at department stores, supermarkets and convenience stores also declined in April. Sales at the Japan's largest retailers were down 2.2 percent from a year earlier, the biggest drop since July, today's report showed.
It is also worth remembering that since this data is not corrected for inflation, but is in real money terms, and given that inflation has been rising recently, this decline is a bit more pronounced than it might seem at face value. At the moment though it is clear that Japan household spending is losing momentum.
Sales at department stores, supermarkets and convenience stores also declined in April. Sales at the Japan's largest retailers were down 2.2 percent from a year earlier, the biggest drop since July, today's report showed.
It is also worth remembering that since this data is not corrected for inflation, but is in real money terms, and given that inflation has been rising recently, this decline is a bit more pronounced than it might seem at face value. At the moment though it is clear that Japan household spending is losing momentum.