TOKYO: Japanese manufacturing activity contracted in April for the first time in almost a year as domestic orders and output fell, adding to fears that the economy struggling to gain traction.
The Markit/JMMA final Japan Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index ( PMI) fell to a seasonally adjusted 49.9 in April, compared with a preliminary reading of 49.7 and final 50.3 in March.
The index fell below the 50 threshold that separates contraction from expansion for the first time.