Companies' earnings are looking solid, and they are expanding their business activities.

The profit forecast was too conservative. Increasing geopolitical risks will keep oil prices high and boost the company's profit.

As for new releases, we plan to terminate purchases of VHS sometime early next fiscal year. Next year, we want our business to be 100 percent DVD, with VHS as a supplement.

The Japanese public might get the impression that we are responding to U.S. pressure. They would not trust us.

I cannot call it a major step forward, but I can say it was a step forward, rather than backward.

We have not yet solved the problems and we still have things to discuss with the United States.