The final reading for Japan manufacturing PMI from Nikkei/Markit for March 2019

49.2

  • preliminary 48.9
  • prior 48.9

Markit highlight 'Key points':

  • Demand remains sluggish, pulling output lower
  • Firms push resources to clearing backlogs due to lack of new work
  • Business confidence remain among lowest on record

Comment, Joe Hayes, Economist at IHS Markit:

  • "The final manufacturing PMI print of Q1 for Japan points to the worst quarterly performance in the sector since Q2 2016. The likelihood of the negative trend in output being stymied any time soon appears slim, with demand for goods from both domestic and international sources waning further.
  • Firms cut production at the fastest rate in almost three years and showed reluctance to replace out-going staff, with employment growth at the lowest since late-2016.
  • "The economic backdrop for the manufacturing sector in Japan remains fiercely challenging. Asian goods producers face headwinds from slowing growth in Europe and China, while global trade risks are yet to be mitigated by a breakthrough in US-Sino relations.
  • "For the Japanese economy to keep its head above water, the service sector will need to pick up any manufacturing slack, which will hinge on domestic demand pressures sustaining the strength that supported the growth rebound at the end of 2018."

(bolding mine)