TOKYO—Japan’s services sector activity expanded at the fastest pace in over eight years in June as the easing of coronavirus curbs boosted sentiment among businesses such as those in tourism.
The pick-up in activity is welcome news for a government betting on domestic demand to put the world’s third-largest economy firmly on a recovery track and help overcome production pressures on the country’s manufacturing industry.
The final au Jibun Bank Japan Services purchasing managers’ index (PMI) rose to a seasonally adjusted 54.0, marking the fastest pace of expansion since October 2013.
That was stronger than May’s final 52.6 growth, though it remained below a 54.2 flash reading for June released last month….