Japan's service sector dropped below the neutral 50 mark in March, according to a preliminary report released by S&P Global on Monday.
The au Jibun Bank Flash Japan Services Business Activity Index fell from a six-month high of 53.7 in February to 49.5 in March, marking a decline in the sector. Meanwhile, the composite PMI reduced from February's 52.0 to 48.5.
"Underlying data showed that this was partly due to a fresh fall in service sector activity ... Growth of new business slowed notably at services companies," Annabel Fiddes, Economics Associate Director at S&P Global Market Intelligence, said.