Japan manufacturers' confidence at highest since 2007: survey

Tokyo

CONFIDENCE among Japan's manufacturers climbed to the highest since the global financial crisis a decade ago, a Reuters survey showed, while March trade data showed 12 per cent growth in exports - the biggest gain in over two years.

Japan's economy has shown more signs of life in recent months thanks to pick-ups in exports and factory output.

But stubbornly weak private consumption has put a drag o…