Recent Statistical Survey Reports, October 2007

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Statistical Survey Reports

Indexes of Business Conditions (Preliminary Report for August)

Friday, October 5, released by the Cabinet Office

The Leading Index was 30.0%, the Coincident Index was 83.3%, and the Lagging Index was 25.0%. The Leading Index mark the first drop below 50% in 3 months, the Coincident Index surpassed 50 % for 5 consecutive months and the Lagging Index mark the first drop below 50% in 6 months.

2007 General Survey on Working Conditions

Friday, October 12, released by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

The average number of annual paid holidays given by business establishments in 2006 was 17.7 days (17.9days in 2005) per employee. The number of annual paid holidays taken by employees was 8.3 days (8.4 days in 2005), and the acquisition ratio was 46.6% (47.1% in 2005), decreased by 0.5 points from the previous year.

As for the retirement age of the business establishments which adopt a mandatory retirement age system, 86.6% (90.5% in 2005) of business establishments surveyed adopted the retirement age of 60, and 13.2%(9.0% in 2005) of them adopted the retirement age of 62 or over, while 9.1%(6.3% in 2005) adopted the age of 65 or over.

Consumer Price Index (September)

Friday, October 26, released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications

The Consumer Price Index was 100.6, a decrease of 0.2% from the previous year. Omitting Fresh food, the comprehensive index was 100.3, a decrease of 0.1% from the previous year. And in the ward –areas of Tokyo in October, the former accounted for 100.6, an increase of 0.1% from the previous year. Omitting Fresh food, the latter accounted for 100.3, unchanged from the previous year.

Indices of Industrial Production (September)

Friday, October 26, released by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry

The index of industrial production (seasonally adjusted) decreased by 1.4 % from the previous month. This index is expected to increase in October and decrease in November.

Family Income and Expenditure Survey (September)

Tuesday, October 30, released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications

The average monthly income for a worker’s household with 2 or more family members increased by 0.8% from the same month the year before.

Labour Force Survey (September)

Tuesday, October 30, released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications

Report on Employment Service (September)

Tuesday, October 30, released by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

The unemployment rate (seasonally adjusted) was 4.0%, increased by 0.2 points from the previous month. That for men was 4.0%, increased by 0.2 points from the previous month, and that for women was 4.0%, increased by 0.3 points from the previous month.

The number of unemployed persons decreased by 110 thousand from a year earlier to 2.69 million.

The number of employees (seasonally adjusted) decreased by 380 thousand from the previous month to 54.91 million.

The ratio of active job openings to applicants (seasonally adjusted) was 1.05, decreased by 0.01 points from the previous month.

Monthly Labour Survey (Preliminary Report in September, Summer Bonus)

Wednesday, October 31, released by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

Total amount of cash earnings (for business establishments with 5 or more employees) decreased by 0.5% from a year earlier, 273,144 yen, and scheduled cash earnings decreased by 0.3% from a year earlier to 269,010yen.

Non-scheduled hours worked in manufacturing (for business establishments with 5 or more employees, seasonally adjusted) increased by 0.5% from the previous month.

The average amount of summer bonus was 407,637 yen, a decrease of 1.1% over the previous year.

Other Reports

Monthly Economic Report (October)

Monday, October 22, released by the Cabinet Office

The economy is recovering, while some weaknesses are seen recently.

• Corporate profits are improving and business investment is generally increasing while weak movements are seen recently.
• The employment situation is improving steadily, though some severe aspects remain.
• Private consumption is almost flat.
• Exports is increasing moderately and industrial production is picking up.

Monthly Economic Labour Report (October)

Monday, October 29, released by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

In looking at the aspects of labor and economy, the employment situation is improving steadily, though some severe aspects remain. The total unemployment rate is on a downward trend and has reached the upper 3% level.