Japan's housing starts declined for the second consecutive month in July, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism showed Friday.
Housing starts fell 9.6 percent annually, bigger than the 0.2 percent drop seen a month ago. Nonetheless, the decrease was smaller than the 10.3 percent decline forecast by economists.
Annualized housing starts totaled 870,000 compared to 837,000 in the prior month. It stayed above the expected level of 857,000.
Construction orders received by big 50 contractors were up 8 percent from a year ago, compared to June's 4.6 percent increase.
by RTT Staff Writer
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