Average monthly household spending fell a real 0.2 percent in the year ended in March from the previous year for the first decline in three years, mainly due to decreases in spending on food and housing, the government said Tuesday.

Average monthly household spending for fiscal 2004 was 303,339 yen, the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry said in a preliminary report.

In the 12 months through March, spending on food dropped 1.9 percent for the 14th consecutive year of decline, while spending on housing fell 6.2 percent, marking the first yearly decrease in three years.

There was a 5.4 percent fall in spending on clothing and footwear. Meanwhile, communication and transport expenses increased 3.4 percent, and spending related to amusement and cultural activities rose 3.5 percent.