Japan Service Activity Marks Strongest Since 2013 on Tourism
Kimono-clad visitors in the Asakusa district of Tokyo, earlier in March.
Photographer: Shoko Takayasu/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
Activity in Japan’s service sector edged up to the strongest in almost a decade in March as the return of Chinese tourists boosted demand.
The au Jibun Bank’s purchasing managers index of activity in Japan’s service sector rose 0.2 points to 54.2, for its highest reading since October 2013. The measure has been above the 50 mark that separates contractions from expansions since September. An index of the country’s manufacturing sector gained 0.9 points to 48.6.