Japan's manufacturing activity grew at its slowest pace since the start of last year in September as a slide in output and new orders intensified due to weakening demand from China, the United States and other trading partners. The au Jibun Bank Japan Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index slumped to a seasonally adjusted 50.8 in September from a final 51.5 in the prior month. That marked the weakest growth rate since January last year when it was last in contraction and was lower than a 51.0 flash reading. "Weakness in Japan's manufacturing sector persisted in September and even turned worse," said Joe Hayes, ... (full story)