TOKYO, April 4 (Xinhua) -- Japan's household spending fell 0.5 percent year-on-year in inflation-adjusted real terms in February, marking the first decline in three months, government data showed Friday.

Monthly spending for households of two or more people came in at 290,511 yen (about 2,000 U.S. dollars), according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.

By category, food outlays declined 4.5 percent, down for the fifth consecutive month, as people cut back on fresh items amid surging prices.

Spending on health care and medicine dropped 7.1 percent, falling for the first time in four months, as a decline in flu cases reduced health service expenditures.

Utilities expenditure, meanwhile, went up 7.6 percent, as the cold weather led to increased use of air conditioners.

The average monthly income of salaried households with at least two people dropped 2.3 percent in inflation-adjusted terms to 571,993 yen in February, down for the second consecutive month, according to the ministry. Enditem

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