Japan: decrease of building constructions

Last year in Japan were started 815,845 building constructions. It is a drop of 8 percent compared to 2013. In January and February 2014 there was an increase compared to the same period of 2013.
In the following months after May, however, the number of units started has seen a decline of 9 percent and 15 percent compared to 2013. This development is probably due to the Vat increase of 3 percent.
With about 816,000 units started, Japanese building industry could exceed the level of 2012. In that year the number of units was 807,000 against 765,000 the year before.
The data were collected by the Ministry of Japanese buildings.