Even though the economy posted a record 14.2 percent contraction in the three months to March, Finance Minister Kaoru Yosano has suggested the worst may be over, while the Nikkei stock average briefly topped the 10,000 mark Thursday.
With contradicting signs on the state of the world's second-largest economy, some analysts have become slightly upbeat, while others remain pessimistic.
The Japan Times asked 10 economists what the future holds for Japan's economy and, if possible, to project its future course.