Japan Private Sector Returns To Growth In January

Japan's private sector returned to growth territory in January as travel subsidy programme uplifted services activity, flash survey results from S&P Global showed Tuesday.

The au Jibun Bank flash composite output index advanced to 50.8 from 49.7 in the previous month. A reading above 50.0 indicates expansion.

"Similar to trends recorded over much of the past six months, a divergence between the manufacturing and services sectors has remained," Laura Denman, an economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence, said.

The service sector expanded further in January as the Nationwide Travel Discount Programme and the recent relaxation of COVID-19 related restrictions underpinned activity.