Japan Economy Watchers and Consumer Confidence April 2008

Sentiment among Japanese merchants fell for the first time in three months in April as higher prices of daily necessities sapped consumers' spending power. The Economy Watchers index, a survey of barbers, taxi drivers and others who deal with consumers, dropped to 35.5 from 36.9 in March, the Cabinet Office said today in Tokyo. The outlook index of conditions in two to three months fell to 36.1.