Japan's factory activity shrank for a sixth straight month in November, while modest growth in the service sector was little changed, a business survey showed on Friday, highlighting the fragility of the economy amid soft demand and inflation. The au Jibun Bank flash Japan manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) slipped to 48.1 in November from 48.7 in October. The index has remained below the 50.0 threshold that separates contraction from expansion since June. Both output and new orders fell further in November and the pace of contraction in incoming business accelerated. While pressure on capacity continued ... (full story)