TOKYO, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- Japan's business sentiment among large companies improved for the third consecutive quarter for the Oct.-Dec. period over strong demand for semiconductors and digital transformation solutions, government survey results showed Wednesday.
The Business Sentiment Index (BSI) for large corporations across all industries came in at plus 5.7, marking the third consecutive quarter of positive growth, according to the survey released by the Cabinet Office and Ministry of Finance.
The report attributed the outcome to strong demand for semiconductors and digital transformation solutions, alongside progress in passing on higher costs to prices.
Manufacturing reported a BSI of plus 6.3, driven by rising demand for semiconductor materials and plastic raw materials, while chemical industries posted plus 10.7.
Non-manufacturing recorded a BSI of plus 5.4, marking nine consecutive positive quarters, with information and communications sectors leading at plus 13.1 due to strong DX-related investments.
Services, buoyed by price increases and a rise in travel activity, achieved plus 6.6.
Looking ahead, total capital investment for fiscal year 2024 is projected to increase 10.3 percent year-on-year across all industries, driven by capacity expansions in chemicals and non-ferrous metals within manufacturing and infrastructure investments such as railway and power plant construction in non-manufacturing.
The BSI outlook for large corporations remains positive for the first half of 2025, with projections of plus 3.9 for January-March and plus 2.6 for April-June. ■
