A 2-percentage-point consumption tax hike and a deadly typhoon dealt a blow to Japan's consumer spending in October, declining at the fastest pace in more than three and a half years, government data showed Friday.Household spending fell for the first time in 11 months in the reporting month, when the tax was increased and wide areas of Japan were devastated by the typhoon, while a separate indicator reflecting the current state of its economy sank to its lowest level in six years, hit by sluggish sales at car dealers and do-it-yourself stores.Spending by households with two or more people …READ FULL ARTICLE
