Recent Statistical Survey Reports, February 2008

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Statistical Survey Reports

Indexes of Business Conditions (Preliminary Report for December)

Wednesday, February 6, released by the Cabinet Office

The Leading Index was 40.0%, the Coincident Index was 66.7%, and the Lagging Index was 75.0%. The Leading Index of the preliminary report mark below 50% for 5 consecutive months, the Coincident Index surpassed 50 % for the first time in 2 months and the Lagging Index surpassed 50% for 3 consecutive months.

The Result of Year-end Bonus negotiations among Major Private Enterprises (2007)

Wednesday, February 6, released by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

The amount of agreed year-end bonus of the major private enterprises (with a capital of more than 100 million yen, 1000 or more employees and labour union) was 845,119 yen, increased by 2.53% from the previous year. It increased for 5 consecutive years.

National Accounts (The 1st Preliminary Estimates of Expenditure in Oct.-Dec.)

Thursday, February 14, released by the Cabinet Office

Real GDP (Gross Domestic Product) growth rate (Seasonally Adjusted) increased by 0.9% (3.7% on annual basis) from the previous quarters.

Of real GDP growth rate, 0.5% was contributed by domestic demand and 0.4% by external demand.

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

Indices of Industrial Production (January)

Thursday, February 28, released by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry

The index of industrial production (seasonally adjusted) decreased by 2.0 % from the previous month.
This index is expected to decrease in February and increase in March.

Consumer Price Index (January)

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

The Consumer Price Index was 100.7, an increase of 0.7% from the previous year. Omitting Fresh food, the comprehensive index was 100.5, an increase of 0.8% from the previous year, both indexes increased for 4 months.

And in the ward –areas of Tokyo in February, the former accounted for 99.9, an increase of 0.4% from the previous year. Omitting Fresh food, the latter accounted for 99.8, an increase of 0.4% from the previous year.

Family Income and Expenditure Survey (January)

Friday, February 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 1.4% from the same month the year before. It decreased for 3 months.

Labour Force Survey (January)

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

Report on Employment Service (January)

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

The unemployment rate (seasonally adjusted) was 3.8%, unchanged from the previous month. That for men was 3.9%, increased by 0.1 points from the previous month, and that for women was 3.7%, unchanged from the previous month.

The number of unemployed persons decreased by 80 thousand from a year earlier to 2.56 million.

The number of employees (seasonally adjusted) decreased by 230 thousand from the previous month to 55.24 million.

The ratio of active job openings to applicants (seasonally adjusted) was 0.98, unchanged from the previous month.

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

Monthly Labour Survey (Preliminary Report in January)

Monday, March 3, released by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

Total amount of cash earnings (for business establishments with 5 or more employees) increased 1.0% from a year earlier and scheduled cash earnings increased by 0.5%.

Non-scheduled hours worked in manufacturing (for business establishments with 5 or more employees, seasonally adjusted) decreased by 3.2% from the previous month.

Other Reports

Monthly Economic Report (February)

Friday, February 22, released by the Cabinet Office

The economy is recovering at a moderate pace recently.

• Corporate profits improvement appears to be pausing and business investment is increasing moderately.
• The employment improvement appears to be pausing while some severe aspects remain.
• Private consumption is almost flat.
• Housing construction remains at a low level while showing a pick up.
• Exports are increasing moderately and industrial production is growing at a slower pace.

Monthly Economic Labour Report (February)

Friday, February 29, 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.