The manufacturing sector in Japan continued to contract in August, albeit at a slower rate, the latest survey from Jibun Bank revealed on Monday with a manufacturing PMI score of 49.7.
That's up from 48.9 in July, although it remains beneath the boom-or-bust line of 50 that separates expansion from contraction.
Underlying data revealed that a deterioration in business conditions at intermediate goods makers offset improvements at producers of consumer and investment goods. Latest survey data signaled a back-to-back monthly decline in manufacturing production across Japan. That said, the rate of contraction eased to a fractional pace that was slower than the average seen in 2025 to date.
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June 12, 2026 17:14 ET Major central bank action was the focus this week in economic news. The European Central Bank became the first major central bank to move in response to the rising inflationary pressures in the backdrop of the conflict in the Middle East. In North America, the U.S. inflation and trade data as well as Canada’s central bank decision gained attention. The Chinese trade data was the main news in Asia.