Financial Times FT.com

Japanese big groups’ confidence declines

By David Pilling and Barney Jopson in Tokyo

Published: December 15 2004 02:45 | Last updated: December 15 2004 21:02

Business confidence among large Japanese manufacturers has deteriorated for the first time in seven quarters, dragged down by collapsing sentiment in the IT sector, as the country’s economy struggles to grow.

But smaller businesses and non-manufacturers showed steady or improving confidence, while even big manufacturers revised up expectations of sales, profits and capital spending, according to the Bank of Japan’s closely watched Tankan survey.

You have viewed your allowance of free articles. If you wish to view more, click the button below.

Read this