Japan big manufacturers' confidence rises in March but Middle East weighs

Business confidence among major Japanese manufacturers improved to 17 in March from 16 three months earlier, but the outlook is overshadowed by the Middle East conflict that has been driving up crude oil prices, the Bank of Japan's Tankan survey showed Wednesday.The index measuring confidence among companies such as those in the auto and electronics sectors rose for the fourth straight quarter. It is projected to decline to 14, with a wide range of industries citing the negative impact of the war against Iran launched by the United States and Israel on Feb. 28, a BOJ official said.The BOJ i…READ FULL ARTICLE