Consumer Sentiment: Percent and April-June Period

consumer sentiment: It's an encouraging sign of strengthening domestic demand. ; Sales of durable goods, ranging from cars to electronic appliances, have been picking up, while consumer sentiment has been aided by stabilizing prices for fresh food, according to The Japan Times. Still, many economists have yet to conclude whether strengthening private consumption is transitory or is set to continue and pave the way for a period of growth powered by increasing domestic demand in which both consumers and companies step up spending. Private consumption, accounting for nearly 60 percent of Japan's economy, rose 0.9 percent in the April-June period in real terms following five quarters of modest growth at between 0.1 percent and 0.4 percent. I can't say private consumption will enter negative territory in the country's GDP data but for now I can't think of good reasons why the pace should continue to pick up, said Toru Suehiro, senior market economist at Mizuho Securities Co. But consumption has been given a boost this summer, as some retailers appear to be reaping the benefits of the scorching heat. Sluggish consumption has been a headache for policymakers and economists, complicating efforts by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the Bank of Japan to lift the economy out of years of deflation. (news.financializer.com). As reported in the news.