JAPAN DATA: Capital investment by small manufacturers is expected
to fall 4.1% on year in fiscal 2011 following +21.2% in fiscal 2010,
data released by the government’s Japan Finance Corporation show. Small
businesses tend to revise up their investment plans later in the year.
About a year ago, combined capex by small manufacturers was expected to
fall 5.1% during fiscal 2010. JFC surveyed 7,810 small manufacturers in
early April. It conducts the survey twice a year and its results are due
out in June and October.