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An analysis of average monthly household living expenditures by method of payment in all households shows that 299,340 yen was paid in "cash" accounting for 93.5% of total living expenditures (320,063 yen) and 20,724 yen was paid by credit card/installment credit accounting for 6.5% of total living expenditures. Cash continued to decline from 95.6% in 1994 to 94.6% in 1999 and 93.5% in 2004. On the other had, credit card/installment credit increased from 4.4% in 1994 to 5.4% in 1999 and 6.5% in 2004.
Expenditures on fuel, light & water charges and education in excess of 99% were paid for in "cash". Moreover, in excess of 95% of housing, medical care and "other living expenditures" as well as over 90% of food, transportation & communication and reading & recreation were also paid for in cash. On the other hand, clothes & footwear and furniture & household utensils were paid for by credit card/installment credit at as high as 25.2% and 17.3%, respectively. The ratio of payment made by "credit card/installments credit" increased in all items as compared to the 1999 survey. (Table V-12)
Table V-12: Changes in Expenditures and Component Ratio by Method of Payment (All Households)
An analysis of the ratio of purchase by "credit card/installment credit" by living expenditures item indicates that video cameras showed the highest ratio at 55.9% followed by accessories including precious metals at 54.5%, men's coats at 51.1%, women's coats at 50.5% and wrist watches at 49.7%. Durable consumer goods and clothing that included relatively high-priced items showed higher ratios of payment by "credit card/installment credit."
Table V-13: Items with High Purchase Ratio in Transactions by Credit Card/Installment Credit (All Households)
Go to VI. Income and Expenditures by Region
