According to data released today by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, the index of business activity in all sectors of the economy rose in September by 0.2% vs +0.1% expected. This is the fourth month in a row as the figure increases. Private industry index rose by 0.2% on a monthly basis, while economists had expected the index to remain unchanged in September.

The index which measures the volume of construction activity showed an increase of 2.0%. At the same time, sub-activity index fell by 0.1% in the services sector. On an annual basis, the index of business activity in the industry has grown at a slower pace, only 1.3% after rising 1.7% in the previous month.