JAPAN MAR MARKIT/JMMA MANUFACTURING PMI: 53.9 V 55.5 PRIOR (2nd straight decline)- New Export orders 52.3 v 51.5 prior in Feb.- Output index 54.2 v 58.4 prior in Feb.- Markit economist: "Firms attributed this increase in output to last minute demand before the increase in the sales tax from 5% to 8%, which is due to be implemented in April this year... It will be interesting to see whether output in the manufacturing industry will continue to grow as fast after the increase in the sales tax is implemented."