MNI BRIEF: Japan Feb Sentiment, Outlook Indexes Rise

Japan's sentiment index posted its first rise in two months at 51.3% seasonally adjusted in February, up from 50.2% the prior month, while the two-three month outlook index rose 0.5 points to 53.0, the Cabinet Office's Economy Watchers report released Friday showed.

The indexes linked to households and businesses rose, but those of the labour market fell.

“The economy is recovering moderately as a trend but it is marking time," the government noted. "Looking ahead, a moderate economic recovery is likely to continue, although there is concern over the impact of high prices.”

MNI reported this week the Bank of Japan could be compelled to raise rates in March to avoid negative economic data ahead of the April meeting. (See MNI POLICY: Weaker Econ Data Risk May Push March BOJ Action)