The service industry activity index fell for the second straight month in July, edging down 0.2 percent from the previous month, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said Friday.
The tertiary industry index -- a measure of demand for services -- declined to a seasonally adjusted 108.3 against the base of 100 for 2000, METI said in a preliminary report. The decline followed a revised 0.8 percent fall in June.