Japan's real wages drop for 12th straight month in March

STORY: Japan's real wages drop for 12th straight month in March DATELINE: May 9, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:51 LOCATION: Tokyo CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of street views of Tokyo STORYLINE: Real wages in Japan declined for a 12th straight month in March from a year earlier, leading to households spending less as a result of rising inflation, the government said in a report on Tuesday. According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, nominal wages including base and overtime pay rose 0.8 percent to an average of 291,081 yen (2,100 U.S. dollars). The 0.8 percent increase in yen terms marks the 15th consecutive month of increase, although the monthly rise has remained below the 1 percent threshold for a third straight month, the data showed. The government said in a separate report Tuesday that household spending decreased in March from a year earlier. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said household spending in the reporting period fell 1.9 percent from a year ear

World food prices decline for 12th consecutive month: FAO

STORY: World food prices decline for 12th consecutive month: FAO DATELINE: April 8, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:47 LOCATION: Rome CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of food in markets 2. various of restaurants in Rome STORYLINE: World food prices declined for the 12th consecutive month in March, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported on Friday. It was the first time the index has fallen for a full year. FAO's broad Food Price Index slipped 2.1 percent in March, and it is now down 20.5 percent since reaching its all-time peak a year ago after a big surge following the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Grains and cereals, the largest component in the index, was down 5.6 percent compared to the previous month and down 18.6 percent over the last 12 months. Among grains and cereals, wheat prices fell the most, dipping 7.1 percent as exports from Ukraine via the Black Sea assuaged market fears. Corn prices were 4.6 percent lower due to strong production in South America, while rice prices were

Toyota Prius

Toyota Prius

TOKYO, Japan - File photo shows Toyota Motor Corp.'s Prius hybrid vehicle. It was the best-selling vehicle in Japan in May 2012 for the 12th consecutive month, industry bodies said on June 6, 2012.