Japan's factory activity extended declines and service sector growth eased in February, surveys showed on Thursday, suggesting business conditions were worsening as the economy struggles to emerge from recession. The flash au Jibun Bank Japan manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) fell to 47.2 in February from 48.0 in January. The headline index has remained below the 50.0 threshold that demarcates growth from contraction for nine straight months. "The Japanese private sector economy saw the slight improvement at the start of the year all but evaporate during February, as business activity broadly ... (full story)