At the same time, the move towards self-sustained recovery has continued, as shown by rising corporate profits and business investment. Short-term prospects involve some concerns, such as the U.S. economic slowdown. The Government aims to sustain domestic activities to make sure that the economy establishes an autonomous recovery path, and to make bold reforms of economic structure for the 21st century. Government would make its endeavor for an early approval of the Budget for Fiscal 2001. 1.Demand trends of consumption, investment, etc.
Personal consumption remains broadly flat.
Regular income is recovering but the growth of year-end bonuses was slow. Business investment continues to rise,led by buoyant outlays by manufacturing firms. Housing investment remains broadly flat. Public investment is sluggish as a whole, but orders received for public works have been higher than year-earlier levels in recent months. Exports have weakened.