Business leaders celebrated the new year Tuesday by voicing optimism about the economic recovery.
They voiced caution, however, over the brewing risks that could hamper growth, such as currency fluctuations and the war in Iraq.
"Let us toast to make this year the dawn of a new Japan," IBM Japan Chairman Kakutaro Kitashiro said to nearly 1,400 guests who filled a Tokyo hotel room for an annual party organized by the nation's three major business lobbies.