Japan's manufacturing sector stabilizes as the drop in demand eases, PMI indicates

Japan’s Manufacturing Sector Stabilizes in December

In December, Japan’s manufacturing sector showed signs of stabilization after five consecutive months of decline, according to a recent private survey. The S&P Global Japan Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) held steady at 50.0, up from 48.7 in November, reaching the threshold that divides growth from contraction.

Annabel Fiddes, economics associate director at S&P Global Market Intelligence, noted that manufacturing conditions in Japan leveled off as the year ended. The decrease in new orders was also the mildest observed since May.