Japanese big manufacturers' sentiment down

TOKYO - Business confidence among large Japanese manufacturers deteriorated in December from three months earlier,reflecting a decline in exports amid strained ties between Japan and China, the Bank of Japan said Friday in its Tankan survey report.

The index measuring sentiment among big manufacturers including carmakers and high-tech firms stood at minus 12, hitting its lowest level since March 2010 when it came to minus 14, the central bank said.

It also said that sentiment among nonmanufacturing companies such as those related to construction and services fell to plus 4 from plus 8 against the average estimate of a fall to plus 6, the first fall in six quarters.

The BOJ surveyed 10,654 companies between Nov 13 and Dec 13 of which 99.3 percent responded.