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Japan's Services Activity Slows in July, S&P Survey Shows

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Business activity across Japan's service sector softened in July, with the final au Jibun Bank Japan Services Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), compiled by S&P Global, coming in at 51.2, according to data released on Wednesday.

The final reading, which serves as a key metric for the country's services sector, was down from 52.2 recorded in the previous month and missed the flash estimate of 51.9. A reading above 50 indicates an overall expansion in service sector activity, while a figure below signals a contraction.

New orders rose at the weakest pace in over two years, weighing on overall activity. Employment growth softened, while input costs accelerated and output charges rose only modestly.

Business confidence slipped to a 10‑month low, as per the release.

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