From the Wall Street Journal in the wake of the BOJ Tankan results for Q3

  • Japanese business sentiment unexpectedly improved in September
  • The latest tankan survey is likely to attract significant attention as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said he would take into account data for the July to September quarter in making his decision whether to raise the sales tax again next year
  • Big firms see economic conditions staying stable over the coming three months
  • Large companies raised their investment plans for the current financial year ending in March to a 8.6% increase from a 7.4% rise – The higher forecast came as a surprise as firms typically lower their annual spending plans as the year progresses

More at the Journal, but it is gated:

BOJ Tankan: Japan Corporate Sentiment Improves
Sentiment Among Big Manufacturers Makes Surprise Improvement