Asia’s factory activity expands in June on solid global demand, surveys show

TOKYO - Asia’s factory activity expanded in June on solid momentum in the global economy and brightening prospects for semiconductor output, surveys showed on July 1, offering policymakers some hope that the region can weather the hit from soft Chinese demand.

But cost pressures weighed on manufacturers in countries such as Japan, where the weak yen is boosting the price that companies pay for fuel and raw material imports.