1.   A separate report from the government showed construction spending fell more than expected in March.

2.   Commerce also reported that November construction spending fell as expected.

3.   Japanese household spending fell in April as higher taxes led consumers to cut back on purchases of big-ticket items, the Management and Coordination Agency said.

4.   Meantime, the Australian dollar reaped more benefits from yesterday reports showing building approvals surged in August and retail spending fell by only a small amount.

5.   Matsushita said overall consumer spending fell after the quake but was now recovering gradually, although sales around Kobe continued falling in February.