The S&P Global Japan Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index was flat at 50.0 in December, improving from 48.7 in November. PHOTO: NYTIMES[TOKYO] Japan’s manufacturing activity stalled in December as demand declined at a slower pace from the previous month, a private-sector survey showed, ending a five-month streak of deterioration. The S&P Global Japan Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) was flat at 50.0 in December, improving from 48.7 in November and hitting the break-even point separating expansion from contraction. “Japan’s manufacturing industry saw conditions stabilise at the end of the year,” said Annabel Fiddes, an economics associate director at S&P Global Market Intelligence. The decline in new orders in December was the softest since May 2024, the survey showed.

Source: International New York Times January 05, 2026 01:45 UTC