Economy Watchers Confidence Rises 4th Month

TOKYO (NQN)--Sentiment among retail industry workers and others on the front lines of the economy improved in February, with the diffusion index for current conditions among so-called economy watchers rising 3.7 points from January to 53.2, the Cabinet Office reported Friday.

The yen's decline and uptrend in stocks further lifted expectations that consumer appetite and profitability at manufacturers will grow.

The index for future conditions, which predicts overall sentiment two to three months ahead, rose 1.2 points to 57.7. Both indexes rose for the fourth straight month.

The government upgraded its overall assessment of the economy, saying it is recovering. It was the third such upgrade in a row.

A total of 2,050 people responded to the survey, which took place for four days through Feb. 28.

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