２月消費支出、０．５％減　うるう年で低下幅縮小―総務省

　総務省が５日発表した２月の家計調査によると、１世帯（２人以上）当たりの消費支出は２７万９８６８円と、物価変動の影響を除いた実質で前年同月比０．５％減少した。マイナスは１２カ月連続。うるう年の影響で低下幅は１月（６．３％減）から大きく縮小した。うるう年の影響を除けば実質２．７％減だった。（2024/04/05-11:24）

Consumption spending by households comprising two or more members in Japan in February averaged 279,868 yen, falling 0.5 pct from a year before in price-adjusted real terms, internal affairs ministry data showed Friday.
   Although spending dropped for the 12th straight month, the margin of decline narrowed from 6.3 pct in January due to the leap year. Without the factor, the rate of decline stood at 2.7 pct.
   By category, gas, electricity and water bills fell 18.6 pct. Electricity bills declined by 25.4 pct, and gas bills by 14.0 pct, on lower demand for heating amid the warm winter.
   Automobile-related expenditures dipped 2.2 pct. Sales of car-related goods such as car navigation systems decreased as an automaker suspended vehicle shipments.
   Expenditures on domestic package tours plunged 40.3 pct after high demand a year earlier backed by a government-run travel promotion campaign.