Recent Statistical Survey Reports, August 2008

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Statistical Survey Reports

Indexes of Business Conditions (Preliminary Report for June)

Wednesday, August 6, released by the Cabinet Office

The Coincident Index of CI (Preliminary figures, 2005=100) in June was 101.7 (a decrease of 1.6 points), 3 months backward moving average and 7 months backward moving average decreased for 4 consecutive months. So the Assessment of Coincident Index is “Worsening”. The Leading Index was 91.2, a decrease of 1.7 points, and the Lagging Index was 102.3, a decrease of 1.1 points.

Basic Survey on Employment Equality in 2007

Friday, August 8, released by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

The ratio of the child-care leave taken by female was 89.7% and that of male was 1.56%. Compared with the last survey in 2005, the ratio of women increased by 17.4 points and that of men increased by 1.06 points, but the ratio of men was still low.

The ratio of the business establishments which introduced some of the short-time working systems for the child-care increased by 7.9 points to 49.5%.

National Accounts (The 1st Preliminary Estimates of Expenditure in Apr.-Jun.)

Wednesday, August 13, released by the Cabinet Office

Real GDP (Gross Domestic Product) growth rate (Seasonally Adjusted) was -0.6% (-2.4% on annual basis).

Of real GDP growth rate, -0.6% was contributed by domestic demand and 0.0% by external demand.

Quarterly Estimates of GDP (The 1st Preliminary Estimates)
Growth rate of GDP from the previous quartersContribution
of Domestic Demand and External Demand to changes in GDP

Survey on Recruitment and Management in Companies 2007

Thursday, August 21, released by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

Asked about the recruitment situation of the past twelve months, 78.0% of the surveyed companies answered they had the recruitment plan. (those who did not have accounted for 21.9%). Among them, 46.0% replied that “they could recruit as planned”, 32.0% “could not as they planned”.

Regarding the future recruitment plan, “want to hire both regular and irregular employees” was 48.3%, “want to hire only regular employees” was 13.5%, “want to hire only irregular employees” was 3.8%, “hold back on recruitment” was 6.8%, “not yet determined” was 27.4%.

Inter-industry Relation Table 2005 (quick estimate)

Tuesday, August 26, released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications

As the main composition ratio in the gross added value, “employees’ income” accounted for 51.0%, “sales surplus” 19.7%, “capital consumption allowance” 19.2% respectively. Compared with 2000(“employees’ income” 53.1%, “sales surplus” 18.6%, “capital consumption allowance” 18.0%), “employees’ income” decreased, while “operating surplus” and “capital consumption allowance” increased.

Consumer Price Index (July)

Friday, August 29, released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications

The Consumer Price Index was 102.4, an increase of 2.3% from the previous year. Omitting Fresh food, the comprehensive index was 102.4, an increase of 2.4% from the previous year, both indexes increased for 10 consecutive months.

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

Family Income and Expenditure Survey (July)

Friday, August 29, 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 3.5% from the same month the year before. It decreased for 4 consecutive months.

Labour Force Survey (July)

Friday, August 29, released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications

Report on Employment Service (July)

Friday, August 29, released by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

The unemployment rate (seasonally adjusted) was 4.0%, decreased by 0.1 points from the previous month. That for men was 4.0%, decreased by 0.2 points from the previous month, and that for women was 3.9%, decreased by 0.1 points from the previous month.

The number of unemployed persons increased by 220 thousand from a year earlier to 2.56 million.

The number of employees (seasonally adjusted) decreased by 170 thousand from the previous month to 55.11 million.

The ratio of active job openings to applicants (seasonally adjusted) was 0.89, decreased by 0.02 points from the previous month.

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

Indices of Industrial Production (July)

Friday, August 29, released by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry

The index of industrial production (seasonally adjusted) increased by 0.9 % from the previous month.
According to the Survey of Production Forecast in Manufacturing, Production is expected to decrease in August and to increase in September. The Synthetic judgment is “Industrial Production has weakened.”

Monthly Labour Survey (Preliminary Report in July)

Monday, September 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 0.3% from a year earlier and scheduled cash earnings increased by 0.6%. It increased for 9 consecutive months.

Non-scheduled hours worked in manufacturing (for business establishments with 5 or more employees, seasonally adjusted) decreased by 1.0% from the previous month.

Other Reports

White Paper on Health, Labour and Welfare 2008

Tuesday, August 5, released by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

As the circumstance around our society has been changing, the measures, which respond to such changes of economic society as the population structure and labour circumstances, are necessary to be developed.

  To those stand at a life stage in need of supports for their child care, we should enhance the better work life balance through reviewing current work styles so that they can realize getting marry, giving births and raising children in the way they hope, and at the same time, we should build up a comprehensive frame work of support system for fostering next generation, which in social aspect, serve as a foundation of it.

  To those who are at work, we will establish the measure to stabilize and promote the younger people’s employment through “Plan from Irregular Worker to Regular Worker” and “Job Card System” so as to secure employment opportunity and income. We will improve working conditions for part-time workers, as well as employment environments for the dispatched workers. We are also planning to develop the safety net based on the structural change of employment such as the minimum wage system etc.

  To elderly people, we are pursuing the establishment of the reliable and sustainable pension program and promoting employment opportunities for them. For the people who need social supports such as disabilities, single mother families, and welfare recipients, we are promoting various supports.

Monthly Economic Report (August)

Thursday, August 7, released by the Cabinet Office

The economy is weakening recently.

• Exports are in a weak tone. Industrial production is decreasing moderately.
• Corporate profits are falling and business investment is almost flat.
• The employment is in a weak tone recently while some severe aspects remain.
• Private consumption is almost flat.

Monthly Economic Labour Report (August)

Thursday, August 14, released by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

In looking at the aspects of labor and economy, the employment is in a weak tone recently while some severe aspects remain.