Consumer Confidence Index Declines

Japan's seasonally adjusted Consumer Confidence Index witnessed a decrease in March, dropping by 0.9 points to settle at 34.1, as reported by the country's Cabinet Office on Wednesday.

Detailed Index Analysis

The overall livelihood index saw a reduction of 0.6 points from the previous month, landing at 30.9. Meanwhile, the employment index experienced a more significant contraction, decreasing by 1.7 points to 39.2. On a brighter note, the income growth indicator rose by 0.7 points to 38.8, and the willingness to buy durable goods slightly increased by 0.2 points.

Public Price Expectations

Survey data revealed that only 2.1% of respondents anticipate price drops in the coming year, a decrease of 0.3% from the previous month. Conversely, 93.9% of participants expect prices to rise, marking a 0.6% increase. Additionally, there was a slight decrease of 0.1% in the number of respondents who believe prices will remain stable.