Mon Jul 30, 12:00pm (GMT +7:00) : JPY : Low Impact Expected : Housing Starts y/y

Source MLIT (latest release)
Measures Change in the number of new residential buildings that began construction;
Usual Effect Actual > Forecast = Good for currency;
Frequency Released monthly, about 30 days after the month ends;
Next Release Aug 29, 2008
Why Traders
Care It's a leading indicator of economic health because building construction produces a wide-reaching ripple effect. For example, jobs are created for the construction workers, subcontractors and inspectors are hired, and various construction services are purchased by the builder; Acronyms Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism (MILT);