TOKYO—Japan’s services sector activity grew at the fastest pace in half a year in May as consumer sentiment recovered further following the easing of coronavirus curbs, though high energy and material costs pushed up input prices by a record rate.
The final au Jibun Bank Japan Services Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to a seasonally adjusted 52.6 from the prior month’s final of 50.7, with activity coming in well above the 50-mark that separates contraction from expansion.
