The manufacturing sector in Japan continued to contract in May, and at a faster rate, the latest survey from Nikkei showed on Wednesday with a Performance of Manufacturing Index score of 47.7.
That's down from 48.2 in April, and it moves further beneath the boom-or-bust line of 50 that separates expansion from contraction.
Individually, output tumbled by its fastest rate in 25 months, while new orders fell at their quickest pace in 41 months.
New export orders fell at their fastest rate in 28 months.
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April 24, 2026 15:15 ET Economics news flow was relatively light this week even as the conflict in the Middle East continued, raising concerns for policymakers. In the U.S., spending data, initial jobless claims and pending home sales were the highlights. Business confidence in the biggest euro area economy was in focus in Europe. Inflation data from Japan gained attention in Asia.