An index gauging consumer anxiety into the next 12 months has climbed to its highest level since 1977, a government-backed research institute said Tuesday.
The Nippon Research Institute, an arm of the Cabinet Office, said in a bimonthly report that its latest anxiety index has hit 153, up 5 points from August. The government began the index in April 1977.
An index reading of 100 indicates consumers believe the state of the economy will basically remain the same for the next 12 months. A reading above that line means they perceive a chance of deterioration.