Japan's forward-looking index of economic activity pointed to a negative outlook in November for the sixth consecutive month, the government said today.
The leading index for the next three to six months stood at 25 points from a revised zero points in October, the Cabinet Office's economic and social research institute said.
The 50-point mark is regarded as the dividing line between growth and contraction in the economy. November's figure was below the 50-point level for the sixth month in a row.
Japan's leading index is based on a raft of financial figures which offer a pointer to the future of the economy, such as commodity indices, new car registrations and the number of new home building projects.
Meanwhile, Japanese household spending in November rose 0.9% from a year earlier after gaining 0.4% in October, according to the latest government figures today.
Telecommunications and transport registered the biggest spending increase, up 7.7% year-on-year, the Ministry of Public Management, Home Affairs and Telecommunications said.
Spending on clothing and shoes grew 5.6%, with culture and leisure also up 5.6%. The largest spending decline in November was seen in housing, down 13.5% year-on-year, followed by education, which fell 13.2%.
