A measure of peoples' assessment of the Japanese economy increased more-than-expected in December to the highest level in four months, survey figures from the Cabinet Office showed Tuesday.
The current index of Economy Watchers' survey climbed to 48.7 in December from 46.1 in November. Economists had forecast the index to rise to 46.6.
The latest reading was the highest since August, when it marked 49.3.
Any reading above 50 indicates optimism and a reading below 50 suggests pessimism.
At the same time, the outlook index remained stable at 48.2 in December. It was expected to fall slightly to 48.0.
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