Japan’s Households Boost Spending Despite Inflation Hit

Japan’s household spending rose for a fifth month, providing some support for an economy that analysts say contracted in the third quarter, but coming in below expectations.

Outlays by households adjusted for inflation gained 1.8% in September from a year ago, led by transportation and entertainment, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications reported Friday. The result missed the median economist estimate of a 2.5% rise, with falling spending on housing and education dragging on overall figures.