Business confidence among people with jobs sensitive to economic conditions improved in December, the government said Tuesday.
Confidence fell in November but a year-end uptick took place amid brisk sales at Christmas and New Year's.
The diffusion index of sentiment on the country's current economic situation among so-called "economy watchers," such as shop clerks, taxi drivers and restaurant employees, rose 2.6 points from a month earlier to 48.7, the Cabinet Office said.