A measure of peoples' assessment of the Japanese economy increased more-than-expected in July, after falling sharply in the previous month, survey figures from the Cabinet Office showed Monday. The current index of Economy Watchers' survey rose to 47.1 in July from 41.5 in June. Economists had expected the index to climb to 42.5. Any reading above 50 indicates optimism and a reading below 50 suggests pessimism. The outlook index went up by 3.9 points to 45.1 in July from 41.2 in the preceding month. It was expected to improve slightly to 42.0. (Read the full story)
