Japan household spending drops historically on economic inactivity

April had seen Japan’s household spending dropping at its most rapid pace. The index fell as the novel coronavirus crisis halted travel and dining demand in the world’s third-biggest economy. More so, consumer sentiment dropped as unemployment surge looms.

Household spending recorded an 11.1% drop in April from a year earlier, government data showed on Friday. This came to be the most rapid decline since the country started releasing data back in 2001.

The weak figure followed after the 6.0% decline monitored in March, placing behind the median prediction of a 15.4% drop.   Moreover, this will prompt policymakers to salvage the suffering economy as a recession impends this quarter.  

Many analysts anticipate that consumption was at its lowest level in April or May, as business operations resumed after quarantine restrictions were lifted last month.