The March Economy Watcher survey, which asked working people how they felt about the economy, showed that the index showing the current state of the economy was the first in two months due to sluggish sales of spring clothing due to rising prices and falling temperatures. It fell below the previous month.
The Cabinet Office asks about 2,000 working people every month how they feel about the economy compared to three months ago, and publishes it as an index.
In the March survey, the index indicating the current state of the economy was 49.8, 1.5 points below February and the first decline in two months.
The survey included
comments from clothing specialty stores in the southern Kanto region, such as ``fewer customers due to rising prices,'' and
from department stores in the Kinki region, ``Due to continued low temperatures, sales of women's clothing, especially spring items, have declined.''
We received comments such as ``It's not working.''
On the other hand, there are voices pointing out that demand is increasing due to an increase in the number of foreign tourists, and the Cabinet Office maintained its view that the economy "continues on a gradual recovery trend, but there are signs of a lull."
In addition, the index showing the economic outlook for the next two to three months was 51.2, 1.8 points lower than in February, the first decline in five months.
Concerning the future, regarding the Bank of Japan's lifting of its negative interest rate policy,
housing sales companies in the Chugoku region said, ``Consumer confidence may be temporarily depressed,'' and
financial companies in the Koshinetsu region said, ``Stock prices may decline.'' Together with the rise in the number of people living in Japan, this will have a positive impact.''