2010.08.3102:23:00UTC+00Japan Small Business Confidence Rises

Japanese small businesses were more confident of their prospects in August, with manufacturers and non-manufacturers both reporting a rise in confidence.

The Shoko Chukin Bank on Tuesday said the small business confidence index rose to 48.4 from 48.1 in the previous month. The manufacturing index rose to 48.8 from 47.6, while the non-manufacturing index climbed to 48.0 from 46.5.

The bank forecasts small business confidence to fall to 48.3 in September. The manufacturing index is seen rising to 49.2, while the non-manufacturing index is seen falling to 47.5.

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