The Eco Watchers Survey Outlook provides a forward-looking sentiment index based on a survey of workers in service-oriented sectors such as taxi drivers, hotel staff, and restaurant owners in Japan. These individuals are considered 'eco watchers' because of their proximity to consumer activity. A reading above 50 indicates an optimistic outlook for the next two to three months.
The survey uses a diffusion index where respondents rate future economic conditions as better, slightly better, unchanged, slightly worse, or worse. The responses are weighted to produce a final index value.