MNI DATA IMPACT: Japan Sep Sentiment Up On Hospitality Sector

Japan's sentiment index rose for a fifth straight month in September, boosted by a pick-up across the hospitality and housing sectors, a key government survey released Thursday showed.

The latest Economy Watchers sentiment index for the current economic climate rose a seasonally-adjusted 5.4 points to 49.3 in September from 43.9 in August. The outlook index for two to three months ahead rose 5.9 points to 48.3. The Survey was conducted by the Cabinet Office between September 25 and September 31 as the recent surge in Covid infections slowed.

The survey indicates whether respondents with jobs most sensitive to economic conditions -- 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.

Restaurants and retailers remain the hardest-hit businesses according to the poll, which targeted roughly 2,000 people, including store managers and taxi drivers.

The Cabinet Office upgraded its overall economic assessment based on the Economy Watchers Survey, noting a pick-up in sentiment while accepting it remains at depressed levels