For March
The NTC Research/Nomura/JMMA Purchasing Managers Index

The Japanese Manufacturing PMI declined in March to 49.5, more than a full point lower than February. It brings the indicator back into the "contraction" level for the first time in 5 months.

From Reuters:

"The latest survey painted a rather bleak picture, with both output and new orders contracting concurrently for the first time in five months," said Paul Smith, economist at NTC Research.

The PMI's output index, which approximates industrial production, declined to 48.5 in March from 50.9 in the previous month, falling below the 50 threshold for the first time in five months.

Respondents to the survey pointed to weakness in incoming new orders as a major reason behind the decline in output, a report on the survey said."

For December
Nomura/JMMA Manufacturing PMI.

The manufacturing sector was steady in December, beating expecations of a drop.