TOKYO, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Japan's real household spending fell 3 percent in October from a year earlier, marking the first decline in six months, as outlays on cars plunged and food purchases remained sluggish amid inflation, government data showed Friday.
Households of two or more people spent an average of 306,872 yen (1,979 U.S. dollars) in the reporting month, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said.
By category, spending on transportation and communication dropped 9.2 percent, down for the first time in nine months, driven by a 27.9 percent fall in vehicle purchase costs as consumers chose more affordable models such as minivehicles, a ministry official said.
Outlays on food, which accounted for around 30 percent of household expenditures, shed 1.1 percent, marking the fifth straight monthly decline, as prices of many alcohol and beverage items were lifted in the reporting month.
In contrast, spending on health care and medical services rose 3.6 percent, the fifth consecutive monthly gain, as influenza began spreading earlier than usual this year.
Accounting for more than half of Japan's gross domestic product, household spending is a key indicator of private consumption in the country.
On an inflation-adjusted basis, the average monthly income of salaried households with at least two members edged down 0.1 percent to 599,845 yen, according to the ministry. ■