The latest economic data released in Japan have presented further indications that the country’s recovery may have started to slow, with unemployment up, household spending down and consumer prices falling.

The unemployment rate rose from 4.6 per cent in June to 4.9 per cent last month, household spending dropped 2.5 per cent in July compared to June, the third straight month of decline, and nationwide consumer prices dropped 0.2 per cent compared with the same period last year.