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TOKYO: Japanese big manufacturers’ business confidence worsened in the three months to March compared with the previous quarter, the Bank of Japan’s closely-watched tankan survey showed on Monday.

The headline index for big manufacturers’ sentiment stood at plus 11 in the first quarter, versus plus 10 seen by economists in a Reuters poll, the March tankan survey showed.

The index for June was seen at plus 10, below plus 11 seen by economists.

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The survey also showed big firms plan to raise their capital spending by 4.0% in the financial year to March 2025, following a 11.5% increase expected for last fiscal year.