With a record 81.86 trillion yen budget for fiscal 1999, the government is determined to put an end to the prolonged economic slump. But both the general public and those in the business community still worry about the nation's fiscal health.

The draft budget approved Monday by the Cabinet includes public works spending worth 9.9 trillion yen, an 11 percent rise from the initial fiscal 1998 figure. Among various business sectors, general contractors will probably be the first to benefit from such generous spending on public projects.

Yet even some of those who should be showing the greatest gratitude, it would seem, are questioning the government's decision to further increase its fiscal debts. "Surely the government is doing this to boost the economy. But as a citizen of this country, I cannot help but wonder whether we should let the government's debts swell to this point," a general contractor executive said.