Japanese consumer confidence improves in September

Published: 13 Oct 2009 21:07:46 PST

TOKYO, Oct 14 - Japanese consumer confidence rose in September from a month earlier, a Cabinet Office survey showed on Wednesday.

The survey's sentiment index for general households, which includes views on income and jobs, rose to 40.5 from 40.1 in August, marking a ninth straight month of gains. The index hit a record low of 26.2 in December.

The government maintained its assessment of consumer sentiment, saying it is showing signs of recovery.

The survey began in 1982. "General households" are those with two or more people, and a reading below 50 suggests consumer pessimism.

Following is a comparison with previous months:

SEPT AUG JULY JUNE General households 40.5 40.1 39.4 37.6 For full details go to the Cabinet Office website at: http://www.esri.cao.go.jp/en/stat/shouhi/0909shouhi1-e.xls