Nearly 75 percent of Japan's biggest companies believe economic conditions will improve toward the end of the year, according to a survey released Saturday that showed optimism growing amid slow but steady growth.
Of the 108 companies surveyed by Kyodo News in the second half of July, including Toyota Motor Corp. and Sony Corp., 76, or 70 percent, said the economy is likely to have "expanded" or "expanded moderately" by the end of the year, while 26 said they expect it to remain flat. Three firms expected a slowdown
The upbeat sentiment comes as amid continued moderate growth since 2012. The International Monetary Fund projects Japan's nominal gross domestic product to reach ¥546.24 trillion ($5 trillion), up from ¥494.96 trillion five years ago.