The services sector in Japan continued to expand in December, and at a faster rate, the latest survey from Nikkei showed on Thursday with a PMI score of 52.3.
That's up from 51.8 in November, and it moves further above the boom-or-bust line of 50 that separates expansion from contraction.
Individually, new orders at services firms increased at the fastest rate in almost a year and a half.
Input prices increased at a rate that was little changed from November's 23-month high.
The composite PMI came in with a score of 52.8 - up from 52.0 in November, and marking the highest reading since August 2015.
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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.