An improvement in the privately conducted survey in May

Reuters Tankan

  • Japanese manufacturers index +12 in May vs +8 in April
  • Non-manufacturers index +27 in May vs +24 in April
  • Manufacturers August index seen at +15, non-manufacturers +26

More highlights:

  • manufacturers index up for the first time in seven months
  • nearly two-thirds of companies saw growth remaining flat in the second quarter, nearly two-fifth saw it slowing and just 17 percent saw it accelerating
  • 82 percent of firms say the economy is not fully prepared for the higher sales tax due in October

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This monthly poll tracks the Bank of Japan's tankan quarterly survey.