TOKYO—Confidence among Japan’s largest manufacturers rose as business conditions improved for the second-straight quarter, a key survey showed Monday.
The Bank of Japan’s closely watched quarterly Tankan survey is considered the broadest indicator of how Japanese businesses are faring.
It reports the difference between the percentage of firms that are upbeat and those that see conditions as unfavorable.
A positive figure means more businesses feel optimistic than pessimistic.
Among major manufacturers, business confidence rose to plus nine from plus five three months earlier, the survey showed.
The headline figure—the highest level since June last year—came after the first improvement in seven quarters in July, and beat market expectations of plus six.
Optimism also grew among non-manufacturers, from plus 23 to plus 27, which was the sixth-straight quarterly improvement and the highest level since November 1991 and against market expectations of plus 24.