Japan's economic recovery continues

Confidence among Japan's largest manufacturers rose to a two-year high in December, easing concern that growth in the world's second-largest economy is losing momentum. The quarterly Tankan survey, Japan's most closely watched gauge of business sentiment, showed confidence among large manufacturers climbed to 25 points from 24 in September, the Bank of Japan said. Among service industries ranging from banking to real estate, sentiment rose more than forecast. Bonds fell because the survey may help persuade the central bank to increase interest rates, the lowest among major economies, as s...