It's mainly a backlash from the powerful momentum of the last half-year.

It wasn't as good as expected but it doesn't change the outlook for the economy. The impression is that the recovery is spreading to smaller companies.

The survey shows corporate earnings are very healthy.

It's going just as everyone has been expecting. We'll probably see the year-on-year (CPI) increase jump to 0.3 or 0.4 percent next month as the effect of one-off factors last year fades, giving the BOJ more confidence about a policy change.

Strong corporate earnings are fuelling capital spending and spilling over to the household sector, supporting consumption.

A domestic-demand-driven economic recovery is continuing, albeit at a slightly slower pace in Q3, ... Strong corporate earnings are fueling capital spending and spilling over to the household sector, supporting consumption.