Japan’s factory activity expanded for the second consecutive month in June, though the pace of growth has slowed due to weakening orders and increasing cost pressures. This is according to the latest au Jibun Bank flash Japan manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) released on Friday. Manufacturing PMI and output The manufacturing PMI stood at 50.1 in June, slightly down from 50.4 in May but still above the crucial 50.0 threshold that separates growth from contraction. This indicates a marginal expansion in manufacturing activity. The key subindex of output, however, showed some optimis…