Capital spending by major Japanese companies is expected to rise 5.2 percent in fiscal 2000 from a year earlier, the first increase in four years, a government advisory panel said Friday.

"It is expected that capital investment will improve gradually in fiscal 2000," said a subcommittee of the Industrial Structure Council that advises the minister of international trade and industry.

The panel sent questionnaires to 2,056 manufacturers and nonmanufacturers capitalized at 100 million yen or more and fall under the ministry's responsibility. Of these, 1,251 firms responded.