The followings are major statements of Mr. Takashi Imai, Chairman of Keidanren, at a press conference on February 7, 2000(tentative translation).
Since last year Japan's economy has been moving toward recovery. Though domestic consumption is not strong enough, corporate capital investment will be expanded led by IT related investments. Corporate performance has been improved and it is only a matter of time for the Nikkei 225 stock average to exceed the level of 20,000 yen. I expect Japan's economic growth this fiscal year will attain the government's forecast of 0.6%. The growth rate will exceed 1% for the next fiscal year(FY 2000). In the latter half of that year the Japanese economy will on the track of annual 2% growth.
The opposition parties must terminate their boycott and the Diet should be normalized. Japan's economy needs the passage of the budget for FY 2000 as quickly as possible.