Consumer spending in January decreased for four consecutive months. The impact of the new virus will increase in the future. March 6 at 10:35
Money spent by households in January was 3.9% lower than the same month in the previous year due to the effects of warm winter and decreased for the fourth consecutive month. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications estimates that consumption after February will be greatly affected by the spread of the new coronavirus infection.
According to a household survey released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the amount spent by households in January, excluding living alone, was 287,173 yen per household.
Excluding the effect of price fluctuations, sales decreased by 3.9% from the same month in the previous year, and decreased for the fourth consecutive month since the consumption tax rate was raised last October.
Expenditures on “health and medical care” increased due to an increase in demand for masks and disinfectants, partly due to the spread of new coronavirus infections.
On the other hand, expenditures on electricity and gas decreased due to a decrease in demand for heating due to the warm winter, and spending on the purchase of air conditioners and stoves also decreased.
In addition, demand for skiing and other leisure activities in winter has been sluggish, and "gasoline charges" have been decreasing.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications believes that the spread of the new coronavirus will have a significant impact on consumption from February onward. I want to watch carefully. "