The key index of current economic conditions showed further deterioration in February amid the global recession, but some future indicators declined at a slower pace, prompting the government to say Monday that "bright developments" can be seen.
The composite index, or CI, of coincident economic indicators fell 2.7 points from January to 86.8 against the 2005 base of 100, the lowest since 86.3 was registered in April 2002, the Cabinet Office said in a preliminary report.
The rate of fall matched the average market projection in a Kyodo News survey.