Japanese workers' real wages fell in February for a 23rd consecutive month, data showed on Monday (Apr 8), suggesting higher prices kept up pressure on consumers' spending appetite. The wage trend is among the key data the Bank of Japan examines for pay and inflation outlooks, crucial factors for the central bank to consider in deciding whether to unwind its stimulus policy further. Inflation-adjusted real wages, a barometer of consumer purchasing power, fell 1.3 per cent in February from a year earlier, down for 23 straight months, data from the labour ministry showed. It followed a revised decline of 1.1 per cent ... (full story)