Japan’s private sector reported a contraction in May as a state of emergency was reimposed, according to IHS Markit.
- The au Jibun Bank Flash Japan Composite PMI fell to 48.1 in May to fall below the 50 threshold that separates contraction and expansion.
- The PMI was recorded at 51.0 in April, which was preceded by 14 consecutive months of recession.
- The state of emergency across various prefectures was extended until the end of May, after first being reimposed in April.
- Output for the month recorded the sharpest decline since January, as services was affected by the renewed movement restrictions.
- New orders for the month posted the biggest drop since February, but international new business recorded inflows for the fourth consecutive month.
- Japanese firms are optimistic that output will improve in the next 12 months across both the manufacturing and service sectors.
- Optimism is supported by the improvement in conditions overseas, particularly among Japan’s top trading partners.
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