The final results for this PMI, you can find the prior and preliminary here:

The final comes in ahead of the prelim number but still well under the January result

More:

  • headline drops into contractions, first time since August of 2016
  • manufacturing activity contracted at the fastest pace in two-and-a-half years
  • output component 47.4, down froml 54.4 in January … fastest contraction since May 2016
  • Total new orders - domestic and foreign - fell at the fastest pace since June 2016

Comments from Joe Hayes, Economist at IHS Markit:

  • Sharper reductions in output and demand drove the Japanese manufacturing economy into contraction during the midway point of Q1, compounding reductions already recorded in January.
  • Global trade frictions and weak domestic manufacturing demand pose considerable risks to Japan's goods producers. As such, firms pared back expectations to near-neutrality.
  • The rebound seen in the official Q4 GDP estimate does not appear to be reflective of underlying economic conditions in Japan.
  • With the consumption tax hike set to come into play later this year, weak domestic demand will only heighten fears that the economy could be poised for a downturn. Focus turns towards service sector data, which will need to show signs of resilience in order to offset the manufacturing drag.