MNI BRIEF: Japan October Sentiment Surges As Outlook Rises

Japan's sentiment index posted a second straight increase as all components improved and the outlook index for two to three months ahead also rose, the Economy Watchers released by the Cabinet Office on Tuesday showed.

The Economy Watchers sentiment index for the current economic climate rose a seasonally adjusted 13.4 points to 55.5 in October, the highest since January 2014, when it stood at 55.7. An official at the Cabinet Office told reporters that the index rose as the government lifted the state of emergency at the end of September.

"The impact of (the) coronavirus persists but the economy is recovering. Looking ahead, concern over high costs (caused by high gasoline prices) and developments of infections at home and overseas continues but the recovery will likely continue amid the vaccine rollout," the government said.

The survey indicates whether respondents with jobs most sensitive to economic conditions, including taxi and truck drivers, department-store sales staff and restaurant and shop owners, think economic conditions have improved or worsened over the last three months. It was conducted by the Cabinet Office between Oct. 25--30.