TOKYO, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- Japan's real household spending rose 2.9 percent in November 2025 from a year earlier, marking the first increase in two months, as outlays on food increased despite higher prices, government data showed Friday.
Households of two or more people spent an average of 314,242 yen (about 2,000 U.S. dollars) in the reporting month, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said.
By category, expenditure on food, which makes up around 30 percent of household spending, rose 0.9 percent, up for the first time in six months, lifted by stronger demand for prepared foods and dining out.
Spending on transportation and communication climbed 20.4 percent, reversing a decline in the previous month, helped by purchases of new and secondhand vehicles and higher car maintenance costs.
Meanwhile, utility spending shed 1.2 percent, falling for the third straight month, partly reflecting subsidies by some local governments for water bills.
Accounting for more than half of Japan's gross domestic product, household spending is a key indicator of private consumption in the country.
On an inflation-adjusted basis, the average monthly income of salaried households with at least two members decreased 2.2 percent to 519,304 yen, according to the ministry. ■
