The Cabinet Office's assessment has remained unchanged for a fourth successive month with the view, also noting that while the economy is picking up moderately, some "weaknesses are seen."
While upgrading its view on the nation's imports for the first time in nine months, from "weakening," the wording used in the previous report, to being "flat," currently, its assessment of Japan's exports was more bleak.
The office said that "exports have been in a weak tone recently" and in terms of short-term prospects, they are "expected to show weakness for the time being, due to the slowdown of overseas economies."
A slowing down of overseas economies among other factors also weighed on the country's industrial production in the recording period, with the office stating that industrial production "appears to be pausing for picking up."
The office noted that production machinery is increasing at a slower pace, although the output of electronic parts and devices is decreasing.
Private consumption, which accounts for around 50 percent of the country's gross domestic product, is "picking up moderately," the office said.
The office did note, however, that producer prices have been rising at a "slower tempo recently," and "consumer prices are rising."
It said that regarding short-term prospects, "consumer prices (excluding fresh food and energy) are expected to continue rising for the time being."
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