Recent Statistical Survey Reports, June 2008

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Statistical Survey Reports

Indexes of Business Conditions (Preliminary Report for April)

Monday, June 9, released by the Cabinet Office

The Coincident Index of CI (Preliminary figures, 2005=100) in April was 101.7 (a decrease of 0.7 points), decreased for 2 consecutive months. The Assessment of Coincident Index is “Signaling a possible turning point”. The Leading Index was 92.8, an increase of 2.0 points, and the Lagging Index was 103.0, a decrease of 1.9 points.

National Accounts (The 2nd Preliminary Estimates of Expenditure in Jan.-Mar.)

Wednesday, June 11, released by the Cabinet Office

Real GDP (Gross Domestic Product) growth rate (Seasonally Adjusted) increased by 1.0% (4.0% on annual basis) from the previous quarters.

Of real GDP growth rate, 0.5% was contributed by domestic demand and 0.5% by external demand.

Quarterly Estimates of GDP (The 2nd Preliminary Estimates)
Growth rate of GDP from the previous quarters Contribution
of Domestic Demand and External Demand to changes in GDP

Business Outlook Survey (April-June)

Monday, June 23, released by the Cabinet Office, the Ministry of Finance

Difference of Employment BSI (“slightly insufficient”-“slightly excessive”) as end of June 2008 shows “slightly insufficient” in large-scale, medium-sized and small-to-medium-sized corporations while the difference of the excess decreased. The outlook for the end of December 2008 in all industries is also “slightly insufficient” in large-scale, medium-sized and small-to-medium-sized corporations.

Survey on Corporate Successive Summer Holidays Plan

Tuesday, June 24, released by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

The average number of total summer holidays (from July to August) provided by companies surveyed was 8.0days (8.3days in the previous year), while the average number of successive summer holidays was 5.9 days (6.1 days in the previous year).

Consumer Price Index (May)

Friday, June 27, released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications

The Consumer Price Index was 101.7, an increase of 1.3% from the previous year. Omitting Fresh food, the comprehensive index was 101.6, an increase of 1.5% from the previous year, both indexes increased for 8 consecutive months.

Andin the ward –areas of Tokyo in June, the former accounted for 101.6, an increase of 1.5% from the previous year. Omitting Fresh food, the latter accounted for 101.3, an increase of 1.3% from the previous year.

Family Income and Expenditure Survey (May)

Friday, June 27, released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications

The average monthly income for a worker’s household with 2 or more family members decreased by 0.6% from the same month the year before.

Indices of Industrial Production (May)

Friday, June 27, released by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry

The index of industrial production (seasonally adjusted) increased by 2.9 % from the previous month.This index is expected to decrease in June and increase in July. The synthetic judgment says “Industrial production is leveling off showing a weakening trend.”

Labour Force Survey (May)

Friday, June 27, released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications

Report on Employment Service (May)

Friday, June 27, released by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

The unemployment rate (seasonally adjusted) was 4.0%, unchanged from the previous month. That for men was 4.2%, increased by 0.2 points from the previous month, and that for women was 3.7%, decreased by 0.2 points from the previous month.

The number of unemployed persons increased by 120 thousand from a year earlier to 2.70 million.

The number of employees (seasonally adjusted) decreased by 60 thousand from the previous month to 55.17 million.

The ratio of active job openings to applicants (seasonally adjusted) was 0.92, decreased by 0.01 points from the previous month.

Trend in Unemployment Rate and Ratio of Active Job
Openings to Applicants

Monthly Labour Survey (Preliminary Report in May)

Tuesday, July 1, released by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

Total amount of cash earnings (for business establishments with 5 or more employees) increased by 0.2% from a year earlier and scheduled cash earnings increased by 0.1%. It increased for 7 consecutive months.

Non-scheduled hours worked in manufacturing (for business establishments with 5 or more employees, seasonally adjusted) decreased by 0.6% from the previous month.

TANKAN (Short-Term Economic Survey of Enterprises) (June)

Tuesday, July 1, released by the Bank of Japan(PDF:174KB)

The Diffusion Index (DI) (“Favorable”- “Unfavorable”) for business conditions in large enterprises of the manufacturing was 5 (11 in the previous quarter and forecast 4 in the coming quarter), and the non-manufacturing DI was 10 (12 in the previous quarter and forecast 8 in the coming quarter), each Index also decreased.

The Diffusion Index (DI) (“Excessive”- “Insufficient”) for employment conditions in large enterprises of all industries was -9 (-12 in the previous quarter and forecast -11 in the coming quarter).

Business Sentiment(For Large Enterprise)

Other Reports

Monthly Economic Report (June)

Monday, June 16, released by the Cabinet Office

While the economic recovery appears to be pausing, weak movements are seen recently.

• Exports and industrial production have been in a weak tone recently.
• Corporate profits are falling and business investment is almost flat.
• The employment improvement appears to be pausing while some severe aspects remain.
• Private consumption is almost flat.

Monthly Economic Labour Report (June)

Wednesday, June 25, released by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

In looking at the aspects of labor and economy, the employment improvement appears to be pausing while some severe aspects remain.