Japan household spending up 0.5% for April, 1st rise in 14 months

Japan's household spending in April rose a real 0.5 percent from a year earlier for the first increase in 14 months, lifted by increased outlays on education and clothing amid warm temperatures, government data showed Friday.While a three-day holiday in the reporting month also helped increase outlays, "As a trend, it's hard to say that spending is moving upward," a ministry official said.Households of two or more people spent an average of 313,300 yen ($2,000), the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said. The gain followed a 1.2 percent decline in March.By category, spending o…READ FULL ARTICLE