TOKYO, April 5 Reuters Japanese household spending fell 0.5 in February from a year earlier, down for a 12th straight month but better than the median market forecast for a 3.0 decline, government data showed on Friday.

When adjusted for the leap year effect of having one more calendar day on Feb. 29 compared to regular years, household spending fell 2.7 in February yearonyear, according to the government39;s estimate of the data.

On a seasonally adjusted, monthonmonth basis, spending increased 1.4, also better than an estimated 0.5 gain.

Reporting by Kantaro Komiya; Editing by Himani Sarkar

Source Reuters