The manufacturing economy fell to its lowest level in nearly eight years last month, a survey of purchasing managers found.

The report was a bright spot in what has become a mixed picture for the manufacturing economy.

The increase was the latest sign that the manufacturing economy remained strong.

The shifts in the region's manufacturing economy have also forced some painful adjustments.

One sign of possible weakness came in new orders, the driving force behind the manufacturing economy.

"Consumer demand is weaker but at the same time we are seeing a strong performance in some key segments of the manufacturing economy."

Conditions in the manufacturing economy may not be much better.

Before that, the survey had indicated a decline in the manufacturing economy for more than a year.

Japan was able to rebuild itself into a powerful manufacturing economy during the early postwar decades.

The result is a substantially more competitive manufacturing economy.