国际英语新闻：Japan's retail sales rise 4.3% on year in August

TOKYO, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- Retail sales in Japan rose in August for the eight successive month, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) said in a report on Thursday.

According to the ministry, sales in Japan rose 4.3 percent on year in August following the 3.8 percent gain in the previous month, standing at 11.232 trillion yen (134.33 billion U.S. dollars).

However, analysts said the figure fell short of market expectations for a 4.7 percent increase in the recording month.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, monthly retail sales were up 1. 4 percent, which fell short of a median forecast for a 1.9 percent increase following the 0.7 percent increase logged in July.

Year-on-year, the ministry data revealed that sales from large retailers were down 1.3 percent.

Adding support to sales were purchases of automobiles, the ministry said, while government subsidies on eco-tech cars were still valid. In addition, particularly hot weather lifted sales of summer-specific items, the report indicated.

Sales at Japanese convenience stores increase 3.2 percent, helped by shoppers stocking up on cartons of cigarettes before a planned tax hike on Oct. 1.