TOKYO, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- Japan's household spending in June fell 3.3 percent in inflation-adjusted real terms from a year earlier, marking the seventh consecutive monthly decline, government data showed Friday.
The drop was partly due to unfavorable weather, including typhoons and heavy downpours, as well as lower temperatures, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.
Households of two or more people spent an average of 290,886 yen (around 1,840 U.S. dollars) in the reporting month.
By category, spending on food and beverages fell 2.5 percent, weighed down by lower sales of tea beverages and sports drinks as temperatures were cooler than a year earlier.
Expenditure on dining out dropped 2.9 percent, marking its first decline in three months, as typhoons and the rainy season dampened consumer activity, a ministry official said.
Consumable goods outlays fell 8.0 percent, the first decline in four months, as stockpiling of plastic bags and plastic wrap since March, driven by tensions in the Middle East, eased.
Transportation and communication expenditure sank 5.7 percent, partly due to declines in air and rail fares. The official said unfavorable weather conditions may have discouraged consumers from traveling.
Household spending is a key indicator of private consumption, which accounts for more than half of Japan's gross domestic product.
Meanwhile, the average monthly income of salaried households with at least two individuals increased 2.0 percent in real terms to 1,013,986 yen, according to the ministry. ■
