Average monthly household spending rose a real 1.1 percent in April from a year earlier to 316,163 yen for the fourth straight month of increase, the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry said Tuesday.
The ministry said the rise reflects robust spending on household durables and hiked university tuition payments.
"Consumption is bright, but we cannot say it is strong at this stage," a ministry official said. She said increased outlays for durable goods and various services in April may not last long.