东京，10月1日：日本央行的季度调查显示，截至9月的三个月内，日本企业信心有所改善，表明经济正在承受中东冲突的冲击，并强化了进一步加息的理由。
TOKYO, Oct 1 : Japanese business confidence improved in the three months to September, a quarterly central bank survey showed on Thursday, suggesting the economy was weathering the hit from the Middle East conflict and bolstering the case for more rate hikes.
该数据将成为日本央行本月晚些时候发布的季度增长和通胀预测的考量因素之一，这将为央行在9月加息后多久可能再次加息提供线索。
The data will be among factors affecting the Bank of Japan's quarterly growth and inflation forecasts due later this month, which will offer clues on how soon it could raise interest rates again after a hike in September.
日本央行的“短观”调查显示，衡量大型制造商企业情绪的主要指数在9月升至+24，高于6月的+22，而市场预期为+25。
The headline index measuring big manufacturers' business sentiment improved to +24 in September from +22 in June, the BOJ's "tankan" survey showed, compared with market forecasts for a reading of +25.
衡量大型非制造业情绪的指数为+35，此前6月为+37。市场预期为+36。
An index measuring big non-manufacturers' sentiment stood at +35 after a +37 reading in June. It compared with market forecasts for +36.
短观调查显示，企业预期三年后通胀率将达到2.6%，五年后为2.5%，这表明企业认为通胀将长期维持在远高于日本央行2%目标的水平。
Companies expect inflation to hit 2.6 per cent three years from now and 2.5 per cent five years from now, the tankan showed, a sign firms see inflation staying well above the BOJ's 2 per cent target for a prolonged period.
日本央行上月将利率上调至31年高位，其行长发出信号称央行已进入新阶段，重点是防止通胀超过目标，为进一步加息敞开了大门。
The BOJ raised interest rates to a 31-year high last month, with its governor signalling the central bank has entered a new phase focused on preventing inflation from overshooting its target, opening the door to further rate hikes.