Growth was slightly better than we had expected, chiefly due to resilient domestic demand such as corporate capital investment and consumption.

The positive numbers still mean that optimists are outnumbering pessimists, even when companies consider the two quarters ahead.

The survey adds to the view that the economy is making steady improvements and deflationary pressure is waning. It's supportive for the Bank of Japan's bullish scenario.

Even considering higher demand, there's been a rapid growth in gasoline stockpiles.

The important thing is that global growth continues. Demand for technology goods remains strong.

We foresee that this year should be a year of investment and high export growth, therefore we need foreign currencies to finance investment and imports of raw material, as well as capital goods.