Japan consumer sentiment better than expectations in August

Consumer sentiment in Japan rose during the month of August, coming in better than what markets had initially expected.

Japan’s consumer sentiment index rose to 42.0 from 41.3 in the prior month. The score was expected to improve to 41.8, data released by Japan’s Cabinet Office showed Friday.

Among components, the index measuring income growth rose by 0.5 points to 40.9 in August. Similarly, the gauge for overall livelihood improved slightly by 0.4 points to 40.9.

Further, the index for willingness to buy durable goods gained 0.2 points to 41.5. At the same time, the employment index climbed 1.5 points to 44.5. Meanwhile, the survey was conducted among 8,400 households on August 15.