According to Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), retail sales in Japan were down at an annual rate of 0.8% in April, beating expectations for a 1.2% drop, after a 1.0% decrease in March. March's figure was revised up from 1.1% decline.

Sales at large-scale retailers decreased 0.8% year-on-year in April, after a 1.0% drop in March.

On a monthly basis, retail sales were flat in April, after a 1.5% increase in March.