TOKYO - Japan's household spending in September fell a real 6.8 percent from a year earlier, declining for the 10th consecutive month, as adverse weather dampened consumption across a wide range of sectors, government data showed Tuesday.
The latest data marked the biggest drop since September 2020, when spending sank 10.2 percent due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said.
The decline widened significantly from 3.1 percent in August. Households of two or more people spent an average of 289,536 yen ($1,830), according to the ministry.
By category, outlays for energy and water bills declined 10.5 percent from 2025, with electricity expenses dropping 11.9 percent as lower temperatures than a year earlier reduced air conditioning use, the ministry said.
Spending on food and beverages decreased 2.5 percent, marking a fourth consecutive month of decline, as consumers opted for cheaper rice, while higher prices and weather conditions weighed on beverage spending.
Furniture and home appliance expenditures saw a 6.4 percent decline, partly weighed down by fewer purchases of air conditioners due to bad weather conditions. Outlays on clothing and footwear fell 3.6 percent as heavy rains and typhoons also discouraged people from going out and making purchases.
Despite such bad weather conditions, spending on dining increased 2.3 percent, aided by a five-day holiday, according to the ministry.
The Pacific side of eastern Japan observed its highest amount of rain for September since data became available in 1946, as well as the least sunlight for the month, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.
"It remains unclear from this month's data whether rising prices are prompting consumers to cut back on spending, as the impact of adverse weather appears to have been significant," a ministry official said.
The data is a key indicator of private consumption, which accounts for more than half of the country's gross domestic product.
The average monthly income of salaried households of at least two individuals rose a real, or inflation-adjusted, 0.9 percent to 528,074 yen, the ministry said.
