Tokyo Skytree (R) and Mount Fuji are seen from the I-link Town observatory in Ichikawa city, Chiba prefecture, east of Tokyo on July 2, 2023.
Japanese business sentiment improved in the second quarter as raw material costs peaked and the removal of pandemic curbs lifted factory output and consumption, a central bank survey showed, a sign the economy was on course for a steady recovery.
Companies expect to increase capital expenditure and project inflation to stay above the Bank of Japan's 2% target five years ahead, the quarterly "tankan" showed, offering policymakers hope that conditions for phasing out their massive monetary stimulus may be gradually falling into place.
Strong capital expenditure also led to brighter sentiment among machinery makers," said Atsushi Takeda, chief economist at Itochu Economic Research Institute.
"The tankan confirmed our view that Japan's economy is on track for a moderate recovery."
Persons:
Atsushi Takeda
Organizations:
Mount, Bank of Japan's, Itochu Economic Research Institute
Locations:
Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Ichikawa city, Chiba prefecture