TOKYO (dpa-AFX) - The manufacturing sector in Japan continued to contract in January, albeit at a slightly slower rate, the latest survey from the IHS Markit revealed on Monday with a manufacturing PMI score of 48.8.
That's up from 48.4 in December, although it remains beneath the boom-or-bust line of 50 that separates expansion from contraction.
Individually, the indexes for output and new orders saw further declines, while export demand dipped - although the downturn showed signs of easing.
Business confidence was at its highest level since August 2018.
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