Recent Statistical Survey Reports, April 2008

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Statistical Survey Reports

Indexes of Business Conditions (Preliminary Report for February)

Monday, April 7, released by the Cabinet Office

The Leading Index was 50.0%, the Coincident Index was 44.4%, and the Lagging Index was 50.0%. The Leading Index mark 50% after below 50.0% for 6 consecutive months, the Coincident Index mark below 50.0% for 2 consecutive months and the Lagging Index mark 50% for 2 consecutive months.

Survey on Corporate Successive Holidays Plan in “Golden-Week”

Tuesday, April 15, released by Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

The average number of successive days of holidays provided by companies during “Golden-Week” of this year was 5.0, decreased from the previous year (5.6days), while the average number of total holidays provided by companies during “Golden-Week” was 5.2, decreased from the previous year (7.3days).

Indices of Industrial Production (Revised Report for February)

Thursday, April 17, released by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry

The index of industrial production (2005=100) (seasonally adjusted) increased by 1.6 % from the previous month. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry changed the index reference year from 2000 to 2005 and regarding the weight of industries, raised the ratio of the transportation equipment industry and the steel industry, reduced the ratio of the electronic components and the device industry. Consequently, the figure of the revised report was significantly revised upward from the figure of the preliminary report based on the old reference (2000=100).

Consumer Price Index (March)

Friday, April 25, released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications

The Consumer Price Index was 101.0, an increase of 1.2% from the previous year. Omitting Fresh food, the comprehensive index was 100.8, an increase of 1.2% from the previous year, both indexes increased for 6 consecutive months.

Andin the ward –areas of Tokyo in April, the former accounted for 100.8, an increase of 0.6% from the previous year. Omitting Fresh food, the latter accounted for 100.7, an increase of 0.7% from the previous year.

The Consumer Price Index in FY2007 was 100.6, increased by 0.4% from a previous year, It increased for 2 consecutive years.

Family Income and Expenditure Survey (March)

Wednesday, April 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 0.6% from the same month the year before.

Indices of Industrial Production (Preliminary Report for March)

Wednesday, April 30, released by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry

The index of industrial production (seasonally adjusted) decreased by 3.1 % from the previous month.
This index is expected to decrease in April and increase in May.

Labour Force Survey (March and FY2007)

Wednesday, April 30, released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications

Report on Employment Service (March and FY2007)

Wednesday, April 30, released by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

The unemployment rate (seasonally adjusted) was 3.8%, decreased by 0.1 points from the previous month. That for men was 3.8%, decreased by 0.2 points from the previous month, and that for women was 3.9%, increased by 0.1 points from the previous month.

The number of unemployed persons decreased by 130 thousand from a year earlier to 2.68 million.

The number of employees (seasonally adjusted) increased by 70 thousand from the previous month to 55.18 million.

The unemployment rate in FY2007 was 3.8%, decreased by 0.3points from the previous fiscal year (decreased for 5 consecutive years).

The ratio of active job openings to applicants (seasonally adjusted) was 0.95, decreased by 0.02 points from the previous month.

The ratio of active job openings to applicants in FY2007 was 1.02, decreased by 0.04 points from the previous fiscal year.

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

See the table above for chart data.

Monthly Labour Survey (Preliminary Report in March)

Thursday, May 1, released by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

Total amount of cash earnings (for business establishments with 5 or more employees) increased 1.2% from a year earlier and scheduled cash earnings increased by 0.9%. It increased for 5 consecutive years.

Non-scheduled hours worked in manufacturing (for business establishments with 5 or more employees, seasonally adjusted) decreased by 0.1% from the previous month.

Other Reports

Monthly Economic Report (April)

Friday, April 18, released, released by the Cabinet Officeopen new window

The economy recovery appears to be pausing recently.

  • Exports are increasing moderately and industrial production is flat.
  • Corporate profits have been in a weak tone and business investment is almost flat.
  • The employment improvement appears to be pausing while some severe aspects remain.
  • Private consumption is almost flat.
  • Housing construction has almost picked up.

Monthly Economic Labour Report (April)

Friday, April 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.

2008 White Paper on Small and Medium Enterprises in Japan

Friday, April 25, released by Small and Medium Enterprise Agency

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