JAPAN DATA: The Bank of Japan’s index for corporate fund demand,
which measures the percentage of banks that saw an increase in lending
demand minus those that reported a decline, rose to -2 in
October-December from -5 in July-September and -17 in April-June, survey
from the BOJ showed today. The index for demand from major companies
fell to -5 from -4 in the previous quarter while the index for small
businesses improved to zero from -1, according to the survey. The latest
survey showed that of the 50 banks polled, three said corporate fund
demand slightly increased, up from one in the July-September quarter.