The Nikkei Flash Japan Manufacturing PMI rose to 49.5 in April 2019 from 49.2 in the previous month. The latest reading pointed to a weaker contraction in the factory activity, as both output and new orders decreased at slower rates, still affected by domestic and foreign demand. In contrast, the job creation rate rose at a faster pace. On the price front, input prices increased at a faster rate and output cost inflation slowed. Finally, confidence remained positive amid stronger optimism.