BBC NEWS
BBCi CATEGORIES   TV   RADIO   COMMUNICATE   WHERE I LIVE   INDEX    SEARCH 

BBC News UK Edition
    You are in: Business  
News Front Page
World
UK
England
N Ireland
Scotland
Wales
Politics
Business
Market Data
Your Money
E-Commerce
Economy
Companies
Fact Files
Entertainment
Science/Nature
Technology
Health
Education
-------------
Talking Point
-------------
Country Profiles
In Depth
-------------
Programmes
-------------
BBC Sport
BBC Weather
CBBC News
SERVICES
-------------
EDITIONS
 Wednesday, 18 December, 2002, 10:08 GMT
More gloom for Japan's economy
Tokyo
Exports and industrial production remain weak
Japan has lowered its economic outlook for a second consecutive month, blaming weaker industrial production and exports.

"As movements towards an incipient recovery are weakening, the state of the economy remains roughly flat," the government Cabinet Office said in its monthly report on the economy.

The environment, such as concerns over the future of the US and other economies, and sluggish domestic stock prices, continues to be severe

Japanese Government
"Exports are declining somewhat and industrial production has become flat."

Industrial output in October, the latest month for which data is availble, fell 0.2% from September owing to slowing demand at home and overseas.

Last month's assessment indictated that while the economy was showing signs of recovery, the pace was slowing.

The government last lowered its economic assessment for two consecutive months in May and June last year.

Little good news

However, the Cabinet Office upgraded its assessment of corporate profits and said earnings could improve further.

The Bank of Japan's quarterly "tankan" survey of business confidence last week reported companies expect profits to rise in the coming financial year.

But with few positive indicators, the government remained cautious on the economic outlook.

"The environment, such as concerns over the future of the US and other economies, and sluggish domestic stock prices, continues to be severe, and there are concerns over downward pressure on final demand," it said.

The report was also downbeat on the labour market, after unemployment hit a record 5.5% last month.

See also:

17 Dec 02 | Business
16 Dec 02 | Business
13 Dec 02 | Business
06 Dec 02 | Business
29 Nov 02 | Business
Internet links:


The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites

Links to more Business stories are at the foot of the page.


E-mail this story to a friend

Links to more Business stories

© BBC ^^ Back to top

News Front Page | World | UK | England | N Ireland | Scotland | Wales |
Politics | Business | Entertainment | Science/Nature | Technology |
Health | Education | Talking Point | Country Profiles | In Depth |
Programmes