Japan's manufacturing PMI jumped to 55.1 in April 2026, highest since Jan 2022, indicating strongest expansion in over four years.
Output grew at fastest pace since Feb 2014 as firms ramped production and stockpiled goods amid Middle East war‑driven supply‑chain concerns.
Input‑cost inflation hit its steepest in 3½ years, driven by raw material, oil and transport hikes, prompting price rises fastest since late 2022.
Manufacturing employment rose, with job creation the second‑fastest since Jan 2022, while outlook optimism fell to its second‑lowest since June 2020.