Planned business fixed investment for fiscal 2003 at the moment is the largest since fiscal 2000, against the backdrop of a substantial increase in corporate profits. Moreover, we see a slightly favorable change in direction in the job and income situation of the household sector, although the situation remains severe. B.
Policy focuses  Such a path for Japan's economic recovery has been within our standard scenario since this spring, and it appears increasingly likely that this scenario will be realized. However, questions remain as to the strength and breadth of the economic recovery once it is achieved, as well as the risk that the standard scenario may not be realized.