Japan business confidence drops

TOKYO, Oct 02 (AFP): Confidence among Japan's biggest manufacturers has slipped for the third straight quarter, the Bank of Japan's business survey showed Tuesday, suggesting a stuttering recovery for the world's third-largest economy.

The central bank's September Tankan report - a quarterly survey of about 10,000 companies - showed a reading of 5 among major manufacturers, a slight fall from 7 in the previous quarter, but above a market consensus of a 1 reading.

The Tankan report, the broadest indicator of how Japan Inc. is faring, marks the difference between the per centage of firms that are upbeat and those that see conditions as unfavourable.