Business and finance news from the Asia-Pacific.

Confidence among Japan's largest firms remains elevated with sentiment among manufacturers rising to the highest level in more than eight years, a result that suggests the Bank of Japan can continue raising interest rates without buckling corporate optimism. The sentiment index climbed to 24 in September from 22, improving for a sixth straight quarter, the BOJ's quarterly Tankan business survey showed Thursday. Economists in a Bloomberg survey had forecast a rise in the gauge to 25. The survey is one of the bank's most closely watched data sets. We speak to Bloomberg's FX and Rates Strategist David Finnerty.

And - Micron Technology Inc. gave an upbeat forecast for the current quarter, fueled by the AI building frenzy, though the chipmaker warned that rising compensation would weigh on profit margins. Revenue will be about $61.5 billion in the fiscal first quarter, which runs through November, the company said in a statement Wednesday. Analysts estimated $56.8 billion on average. Excluding some items, profit will be about $38.15 a share, compared with a projection of $36.02. Bloomberg's Shery Ahn spoke to Futurum Head of Semiconductors & Infrastructure Rolf Bulk.