Economy watcher sentiment climbs in Nov.

December 9, 2017

Tokyo- Sentiment among so-called economy watchers in Japan rose to its highest level in nearly four years in November on improved household spending and employment, the Cabinet Office said Friday.

The diffusion index gauging the sentiment of economy watchers, or people working in industries sensitive to changes in economic trends, including shop clerks and taxi drivers, compared with three months before rose 2.9 points from the previous month to 55.1 after seasonal adjustment.

The index rose for the third straight month and reached a level unseen since January 2014, when the index was at 55.9 amid strong consumption ahead of a consumption tax increase.

The index was above the boom-or-bust threshold of 50 in all the 12 regions surveyed. The government agency said the Japanese economy is recovering moderately, the first upgrade in its view in two months.

The economy watchers' outlook DI for economic conditions two or three months ahead fell 1.1 points to 53.8. There was concern that a price increase stemming from higher oil prices may weigh on demand, the Cabinet Office said. Jiji Press