Apr 01, 2020: Confidence among Japan's biggest manufacturers has plunged into negative territory for the first time in seven years, a key survey showed Wednesday as the coronavirus pandemic hits demand and disrupts production.

The Bank of Japan's March Tankan business survey — a quarterly poll of about 10,000 companies — showed a reading of minus 8 among major manufacturers, the first negative reading since March 2013.

The short-term business sentiment survey reports the difference between the percentage of firms that are upbeat and those that see conditions as unfavourable.

AFP/APP

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