Japanese manufacturing activity shrank for a third consecutive month in November as a strong yen hit exports.
The Nomura/JMMA Japan Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) stayed below the 50 threshold that separates contraction from growth.
The index for new export orders fell to 46.9 from 48.4 in the previous month, showing that export orders contracted at their fastest pace in 19 months.
Also, new figures showed Japan's jobless rate rose to 5.1% in October. BBC News
