Business sentiment among workers with jobs sensitive to economic trends in Japan rose in November to the highest level in eight years, as confidence among eateries climbed to a record high after the latest coronavirus state of emergency was lifted, government data showed Wednesday.

The diffusion index of confidence in current conditions compared with three months earlier among "economy watchers," such as taxi drivers and restaurant staff, edged up 0.8 point from October to 56.3, up for the third straight month and matching the level logged in November 2013, according to the Cabinet Office.

The reading compared with a gain of 13.4 points in October, the biggest monthly improvement since June last year, as a monthslong state of emergency was fully lifted on Oct. 1. Under the state of emergency, people were requested to stay at home and restaurants were asked to close early.