Japan household spending in July edges up 0.1%

"Spending has not increased as much as wages grew. Some households may be saving part of their increased income," the official said, adding that the ministry will continue to watch closely how the rising wages affect consumption.

Ministry Officials: We are going to keep telling you your wages are rising until you spend spend spend.

Frustrating to read articles like this that have no "writer" to take the credit for so much hogwash and supposition and inaccuracies, or at the minimum very selective in creating theories or reasons, based upon a biased statistics.

Japan's household spending in July rose a real 0.1 percent from a year earlier for the first increase in three months, as higher wages drove outlays on home renovations and entertainment, government data shows.

Higher prices across the board is also a "reason" for this this. Home renovations are not being done at such a level that it would affect the entire nation. And folks here dont spend money on "entertainment" in a dubious or uncertain economy.

But the relatively modest increase indicates households have had to curb spending on food and utilities amid the inflationary environment.

Curb spending on food and utilities, but spend on "renovations" and "entertainment". Please pass whatever you are ingesting!

Average spending by households with two or more people stood at 290,931 yen, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said.

Right...Tokyo-centric once again!

The average monthly income of salaried households with at least two people climbed 5.5 percent in real terms to 694,483 yen in July, rising for the third straight month, following increases of 3.1 percent and 3.0 percent in June and May, respectively, the ministry said.

Spit up my coffee! This is Tokyo only, and creating an article based solely on data taken from a thumbnail section of society, probably Meguro-ku or somewhere similar, to come to a conclusion about the entire country is just poor biased reporting.

Sharing the demographics of the survey, in detail, must be shared for any of this to be believable.

Average spending by households with two or more people stood at 290,931 yen

does that include rent and utility bills?

The average monthly income of salaried households with at least two people climbed 5.5 percent in real terms to 694,483 yen in July, 

is this before or after tax?

Salaries are mainly flat and decreasing amongst part timers and self employed.

Inflation is getting high and imports are expensive that's the reason for the increase in spending.

People are poorer stop writing this absolute hog wash .

As always, Kyodo news "articles" should not be taken too seriously and with at least 2 or 3 pinches of salt.

Maybe next time we will learn what companies give salary increases. And I mean increases because of the inflation or the weak Yen.

And yes, spending did increase, but that's just because of the increase of prices on food, utilities, etc, definetly NOT because of salaries increase, common!

Spending is influenced by extra cost such as kitchen or bathtub renovation which is easier to do now than in the middle of winter, specially after receiving a summer bonus for many.

But those extra costs should be analyzed differently from the daily costs.

Otherwise, I do not see any Tokyo centric thinking in the way the article is written, and it just reflects the data at a national level.

@Yubari

You might include the Okinawa data or any additional data that would justify the credibility of your assertions.

The average monthly income of salaried households with at least two people climbed 5.5 percent in real terms to 694,483 yen in July,

This "salaried households" category must be very restrictive because lots of people don't get that much. It's nearly 8.5 million a year.

Over 10 million mostly women are dependent spouses earning under 1.3 million a year, the limit at which a spouse automatically stops being a dependent and has to pay their own pension and health. That would mean their partner making at least 7.2 million, which millions don't. A regular teacher on "kyouin" status doesn't make that in Nagano. Thousands of teachers are employed by local governments as contract workers, not full-status kyouin. 7.2 million is 30,000 yen a day. For eight hours, its 4000 yen an hour. If the spouse doesn't work, you need 4500 an hour for 8 hours x 240 days to hit 8.5 million.

(I know that the average income number is at the 70% percentile, meaning that only 30% actually get it)

For those who don't know, I mention teachers because on full status, "teacher" is a well paid job in inaka, earning much more than tradespeople or anyone who work in a shop. The problems are that a. teachers work very very long hours, often due to extra duties and b. many teachers on not employed on kyouin status, they are employed on contracts by the local government or whatever private school they work for.

Could this be chalked up to panic rice buying ?

This data is enlightening,

https://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/kakei/1560.htm

Fake story with fake "data".

The average Taro/Sachiko is paying more but getting less and having less and less disposable income.

Simply hogwash "news" article.

Simply hogwash "news" article.

Simply hogwash....There fixed it for ya!

I think articles like this are aimed at irritating everyone rather than putting forward information that is any use to anyone. I'll add another 'HOGWASH!' to the ever-growing list. Ask the people on the street how its going!