Business confidence among large companies deteriorated significantly in the April to June period due to production suspensions brought about by earthquakes in central Kyushu and on a stronger yen, a government survey showed Monday.
The index for business conditions at companies capitalized at ¥1 billion or more, compiled by the Finance Ministry and the Cabinet Office, stood at minus 7.9 on an all-industry basis, far worse than the minus 2.2 forecast when a January to March survey was released.
A Finance Ministry official attributed the weak business confidence in the April to June period to companies' cautiousness but added that a moderate recovery trend is continuing.