Japan auto sector confidence dives, manufacturers’ index logs first fall in four months: Reuters poll

TOKYO, Oct 8 (Reuters) – Business confidence in Japan’s auto sector has plunged, helping push a manufacturers’ sentiment index to its first decline in four months, the Reuters Tankan poll showed, as firms grapple with U.S. tariffs, rising costs and weak overseas demand. The monthly poll, which tracks the Bank of Japan’s closely watched quarterly business survey, showed the manufacturers’ index dropped to plus 8 in October from plus 13 in September, the lowest reading since July. Sign up here. It is also expected to slip to plus 4 by January. The auto and transport machinery industry had the most…