Capital spending marked its 16th straight quarter of expansion to ¥17.7 trillion. The growth was at a slightly slower pace than October-December's 16.8 percent, the Finance Ministry said.

The ministry survey, based on responses from 19,000 major companies, also showed corporate profits rose 7.4 percent during the period compared to a year ago. That was the 19th straight quarter of aggregate company gains, matching the previous longest period of expansion recorded during the 1965-1970 economic boom, according to the ministry.

The Japan Times Weekly: June 9, 2007
(C) All rights reserved