The Bank of Japan’s Research and Statistics Department published the latest release of its Consumption Activity Index (CAI) research data, providing updated charts and downloadable data intended to support timely assessment of private consumption developments in Japan. The CAI is compiled from a range of sales and supply-side statistics for goods and services and is designed to capture short-term household consumption activity on monthly and quarterly bases, in a more timely way than the consumption measures in the Annual Report on National Accounts. The release notes that multiple CAI series are available, including nominal and real indexes, versions with and without travel balance adjustments, and breakdowns by type of goods and services, and that background data and seasonal adjustment specifications are published to facilitate external discussion and feedback. Data are, in principle, released at 2:00 p.m. on the fifth business day of each month, subject to changes, and the Bank notes that the charts and data may be revised or discontinued without notice.