Xinhua world news summary at 0630 GMT, April 1

TOKYO -- Business sentiment among major manufacturers in Japan deteriorated for the first time in four quarters, reflecting a sharp drop in the auto sector caused by production cuts, the Bank of Japan (BOJ) Tankan survey showed Monday.

The key index measuring confidence among companies such as those in the auto and electronics sectors stood at plus 11, against plus 13 in the previous survey for December, accordi