Consumer sentiment in Japan has improved, but only slightly, with concerns lingering about employment and income prospects, according to a survey released Monday by a governmental research institute.
The consumer anxiety index came to 130 in the latest survey in April, down only 1 point from the previous survey in February, Nippon Research Institute said. High numbers indicate worsening sentiment.
The index is designed to stand at 100 if consumers consider their outlook for the coming year will be neither better nor worse.
The NRI, affiliated with the Economic Planning Agency, conducted the survey in early April and received replies from 1,270 consumers aged 18 and older.
At that time, the outlook for domestic economic activity was improving but consumers remained concerned about their employment and income prospects as companies stepped up restructuring, the NRI said.
Only 13 percent of the respondents expected their or their families' incomes to increase in the coming year, almost unchanged from 12.7 percent in the February survey.
The survey also found 62.4 percent of respondents were concerned about the possibility of losing their jobs, down slightly from 64.2 percent.