Poll finds Japan manufacturers' mood largely steady

Tokyo

CONFIDENCE among Japanese manufacturers held firm in December and service-sector sentiment rose for a second straight month, the Reuters Tankan poll showed on Thursday, underscoring steady economic growth driven by both external and domestic demand.

The monthly poll, which tracks the Bank of Japan's (BOJ) closely-watched tankan quarterly survey, found manufacturers' mood up a tad from three months ago and service-sector morale holding steady, signalling a firm reading in the upcoming BOJ tankan.