TOKYO, March 11 (Xinhua) -- The average monthly household spending in Japan rose 0.8 percent year-on-year in inflation-adjusted real terms in January, marking the second consecutive month of growth, official data showed Tuesday.
Monthly spending for households with two or more members came in at 305,521 yen (about 2,080 U.S. dollars), according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.
In nominal terms, spending grew 5.5 percent, driven by a 39.2-percent surge in housing-related expenditures, including home repairs and renovations such as exterior wall and fence work.
Education spending also rose by 9.9 percent, boosted by earlier tuition payments due to changes in university entrance exam schedules.
However, food spending declined by 2.4 percent, marking the largest negative contribution to overall household expenditures. Fresh vegetables and seaweed dropped 8.9 percent, while fruit consumption also fell, as higher prices led consumers to cut back on purchases.
On a seasonally adjusted basis, household spending fell 4.5 percent month-on-month, also marking a decline after four months of growth.
A government official commented that "the trend of frugality, especially in food spending, remains evident." ■
