Japanese spending on factories and equipment rose 6.5 per cent on-year in the fourth quarter, Ministry of Finance data showed on Tuesday, indicating resilient investment demand continued to support a barely growing economy. The encouraging data, which will be used in calculating revised gross domestic product figures scheduled for March 10, comes as the government seeks to bolster investment through targeted public outlay in sectors it deems vital for economic security. "The data shows that overall capital expenditures have been firm," Meiji Yasuda Research Institute economist Kazutaka Maeda said, adding that the ... (full story)