* Big manufacturers' sentiment index +14 vs previous +13 * Big non-manufacturers' index +34, matches forecast * Big firms expect conditions to worsen, tankan shows * Tankan outcome seen as key to BOJ's rate-hike timing (Adds background in paragraph 8, analyst quote in paragraphs 13-14, corporate inflation expectations in paragraph 20) By Leika Kihara TOKYO, Oct 1 (Reuters) – Confidence among big Japanese manufacturers improved for the second straight quarter and firms maintained their upbeat spending plans, a central bank survey showed, heightening the chance of an interest rate hike as soon as this month. The survey, which is among key data the Bank of Japan will scrutinise at its policy meeting this month, suggests the export-reliant economy was weathering the hit from U.S. tariffs, at l

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