Hong Kong economic, security pressures sour Japanese business sentiment

HONG KONG -- Japanese businesses operating in Hong Kong are feeling greater effects from a decelerating Chinese economy as well as local authorities' emphasis on national security and patriotism, a new survey shows.

The latest biannual survey conducted by three Japanese organizations in Hong Kong -- the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), the local Japanese business chamber and the consulate general -- shows the diffusion index of overall sentiment was minus 12.5 for the first half of 2024, worsening from minus 9.7 in the second half of last year.