Japan's benchmark coincident composite index dropped 0.3 points to 111.9 in September, marking the third consecutive month of decline, the Cabinet Office said in a preliminary report on Friday.

The coincident composite index (CI), which reflects current business conditions here and spans industrial production, sales at shops and consumption of power, stood at 111.9 against the 2010 base of 100, the government data showed.

The 0.3 point drop from the previous month was in line with median economists' forecasts.

The office also said Friday that the leading indicator, which gauges prospects in the economy a few months ahead, including job offers and consumer sentiment, lost 2.1 points to 101.4.

The lagging CI, meanwhile, which reflects economic conditions three months ago, stood at 114.0 in September, the report showed.

Based on the preliminary report the government maintained its overall assessment of Japan's economy, saying that the composite index "indicates that the economy is pausing."