Japan's consumer mood worsens in March as Iran war bites

April 9, 2026 1:34 AM EDT

FILE PHOTO: FILE PHOTO: Shipping containers are seen at a port in Tokyo, Japan, March 22, 2017. REUTERS/Issei Kato/File Photo/File Photo

TOKYO, April ‌9 (Reuters) - Japan's ​consumer ​confidence worsened in March for the first time in ‌three months, a government survey showed ⁠on Thursday, adding to growing signs ‌that soaring fuel costs ‌from the Middle East conflict were taking a toll on the ​fragile economic recovery.

An index measuring consumer mood stood at 33.3 ⁠in March, down 6.4 point from February, according to ​the survey conducted between March 6 and 23. It was ​the biggest month-on-month drop ‌since April 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic was rattling ⁠the world.

"Consumer sentiment is weakening," the government said, revising down its assessment ⁠from last month when it said confidence ​was showing signs of improvement.

The findings add to a recent slew of data highlighting ‌the potential economic hit from the Middle East war, ‌which complicates the Bank of ⁠Japan's decision on ‌whether to ​raise interest rates in April.

(Reporting by Leika KiharaEditing by Shri ‌Navaratnam)



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