Japan's tertiary industry activity index rose a seasonally adjusted 1.3% month on month in April, according to data from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) released on Monday.
The latest reading was a reversal from the revised 0.6% decline in the prior month and represented the first increase in three months. It also beat the Trading Economics forecast of a 0.5% increase.
The monthly performance was driven primarily by a rise in services to individuals and businesses, which rose 1.2% and 1%, respectively.
While some sectors of the service industry are showing signs of stagnation, the tertiary sector as a whole is showing signs of recovery, the ministry said.