TOKYO, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Japan's household spending in May increased 4.7 percent from a year earlier, rising at the fastest pace since August 2022, as spending on automobiles jumped, government data showed Friday.

Households of two or more people spent an average of 316,085 yen (about 2,200 U.S. dollars) in the cited month, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.

By category, outlays for transportation and communications led the overall increase in May, surging 25.3 percent, the ministry said.

Spending on recreation and leisure jumped 11.1 percent, up for the fourth straight month, boosted by strong demand for domestic and overseas travel tours.

Food expenditure, accounting for around one-third of household spending, rose 1.0 percent, marking the second consecutive month of increase.

Accounting for more than half of Japan's gross domestic product, household spending is a key gauge of private consumption in the country. ■