Japan’s Manufacturing Sentiment Advanced in March

April 1 (Bloomberg) -- Bloomberg's Mike Firn reports from Tokyo about the Bank of Japan's Tankan survey of confidence among Japan's largest manufacturers. The Tankan index of sentiment climbed to minus 14 in March from minus 25 in December, the highest since September 2008. The report supports the view by Bank of Japan Governor Masaaki Shirakawa that the economy is performing better than expected, and may prompt him to hold off on easing policy next week. (Source: Bloomberg)