Summer Leisure Budgets Average Y38,000 Per Person: Poll

TOKYO (Nikkei) - Consumers are budgeting an average of 38,749 yen per person for this summer's leisure activities, according to a survey released Wednesday by Japan Post Insurance Co., a unit of Japan Post Holdings Co.

More than half of respondents said they were keeping their budgets unchanged from last summer, but slightly more than 40% cited cutbacks. This suggests that the economic downturn is prompting some individuals to curb their summer spending.

Asked about their summer plans, 52.1% said they would travel domestically, including visiting relatives. Just 8.8% said they would take overseas trips, indicating that people are staying close to home.

Japan Post Insurance conducted the online survey in late June, collecting responses from 1,000 men and women in their 20s through their 50s, nationwide.

(The Nikkei July 16 morning edition)