Real GDP growth in the July-September quarter of 2015 was slightly negative for the second consecutive quarter, due mainly to inventory adjustments, but final demand as a whole has been increasing. Regarding the corporate sector, firms’ investment stance has continued to be positive reflecting the favorable earnings environment.
Corporate profits as a whole have reached record highs, and fixed investment plans have also been robust. According to the September Tankan (Short-Term Economic Survey of Enterprises in Japan), the year-on-year rate of growth of planned fixed investment for all enterprises and industries was 6.4 percent, up from the June Tankan.