Japanese workers sensitive to economic cycles are becoming increasingly pessimistic about the economy, according to a survey released by the Economic Planning Agency on Thursday.

The EPA said its November "economy watchers" survey showed the index of workers' perceptions of the current state of the economy was 45.3, down 1.2 points from October, and below the boom-or-bust line of 50 for four months in a row.

It was the lowest ranking since the EPA started the survey in January, when the survey also showed a reading of 45.3.

The index measuring workers' opinions on the economy two to three months ahead came to 47.2, down 1.7 points from October, and below 50 for the second straight month.

An EPA official said the dismal readings reflect respondents' concerns about sluggish consumption. The index on the current status of household spending stood at 42.6, down from 42.9 in October, while that for two or three months ahead came to 46.4, down from 47.2.

The agency official said the failures of life insurers and department store operator Sogo Co. were also negative factors affecting workers' assessments.

The survey covers people whose jobs are sensitive to the ups and downs of the economy, such as department store sales clerks, taxi drivers and employees of temporary staff agencies.

The respondents are asked to indicate, on a five-point scale, whether they believe the economy is improving or worsening. The EPA surveyed 1,500 workers in 11 survey areas. Of those surveyed, 1,396 responded.

The 11 regions are Hokkaido, Tohoku, northern Kanto, southern Kanto, Tokai, Hokuriku, Kinki, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu and Okinawa.