Japan business mood rises as semiconductor boom lifts manufacturers: Reuters poll

TOKYO, Aug 12 : Japanese business confidence improved in August as manufacturers benefited from robust semiconductor demand while non-manufacturers were supported by strong domestic consumption, the latest Reuters Tankan survey showed.The monthly poll, a leading indicator of the Bank of Japan's quarterly Tankan business survey, showed the manufacturers' sentiment index rose to plus 18 in August from plus 13 in July, marking the highest level since March 2026.Non-manufacturers' confidence climbed to plus 28 from plus 25.The August survey, conducted from July 29 to August 6, received responses from 219 out of 510 firms polled. The indexes are calculated by subtracting the percentage of pessimistic responses from optimistic ones, with positive figures indicating net optimism. Semiconductor-re