Japan service sector sentiment improves in January

[TOKYO] Japan's service sector sentiment index rose to 45.6 in January, a Cabinet Office survey showed on Monday.

The survey of workers such as taxi drivers, hotel workers and restaurant staff - called "economy watchers" for their proximity to consumer and retail trends - showed their confidence about current economic conditions rose from 45.2 in December.

The outlook index, indicating the level of confidence in future conditions, gained to 50.0 in January from 46.7 the previous month.

The Cabinet Office started compiling the data in comparative form in August 2001.

REUTERS