The services sector in Japan continued to expand in March, and at an accelerated pace, the latest survey from Nikkei showed on Wednesday with a 19-month high PMI score of 52.9.
That's up from 51.3 in February, and it moves further above the boom-or-bust line of 50 that separates expansion from contraction.
Among the individual components, ongoing movements in demand continued to support the index.
Strengthened confidence and capacity pressures pushed up employment. Cost inflation eased, although charges expanded at a faster rate.
The composite index also moved up to 52.9 from 52.2 in February.
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