The average budget of Japanese consumers this Christmas stands at 16,329 yen ($105), down 27.7 percent from last year, as many look to save money, a Tokyo research company said Thursday."The rising cost of living is a factor that has made consumers keep a tight hold of their purse strings," said a representative of Intage, which surveyed 5,000 people aged between 15 and 79 online from Nov. 22 to 25.In addition to Christmas Eve and Christmas Day falling on weekdays this year, consumers appear to be bracing for increased spending during the 9-day-holiday around New Year, according to the comp…READ FULL ARTICLE
