Employment prospects for students graduating in spring 2001 have improved for the first time in three years, thanks to a mild recovery in the economy, according to a survey by Kyodo News.

Of 150 major companies surveyed, 79, or 52.7 percent, said they will increase hiring of new graduates this spring, while 40 companies, or 26.7 percent, plan to reduce hiring or not hire at all.

The companies' employment plans differed according to the business climate in their respective industries.