Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry released its tertiary industry activity index on Friday. The index increased 1.4% in April, exceeding expectations for a 0.7% rise, after a 0.5% fall in March. March's figure was revised up from a 0.7% drop.

The increase was driven by rises in wholesale Trade, business-related services, finance and insurance, information and communications, real estate, transport and postal Activities.

On a yearly basis, the tertiary industry activity index rose 0.1% in April.