Firms’ mood upbeat for fifth month

TOKYO: Sentiment among Japanese manufacturers rose for a fifth straight month in April, although not as strongly as had been earlier expected, and is seen improving further as massive central bank and government stimulus takes hold, a Reuters poll showed.

The unprecedented monetary stimulus launched by the Bank of Japan on April 4 sent the yen to a four-year low against the dollar, encouraging key exporters such as car makers and electronic firms.