Japan consumer confidence falls for 2nd straight month in Sept

Japan's consumer confidence index fell to 46.3 last month from 47.6 in August, the second straight monthly drop, the Cabinet Office said. The index hit 50.0 in April, its highest level since June 1990, but has come in below that since. The consumer confidence index is based on replies to a survey asking about four aspects of consumer sentiment: perception of general economic well-being, income growth, employment conditions and willingness to purchase durable goods. Respondents are asked if there has been improvement in these areas over the preceding three months. Numbers above 50 mean that respondents reporting improvement outnumber those seeing deterioration. Figures below 50 mean the majority believe conditions have worsened. The sub-index for general economic well-being fell to 43.7 from 44.9 in August, while the income growth sub-index declined to 42.9 from 44.8. The employment conditions sub-index edged down to 50.9 from 52.1, and the sub-index for willingness to buy durable goods dropped to 47.7 from 48.7.