Japan’s Posts and Telecommunications Ministry said fiscal 1997 capital investment planned by telecom companies and broadcasting firms will total $40.3m (at an exchange rate of 116.5 yen per dollar) – basically flat with 1996 – according to the Nikkei Daily News. Investment growth is expected to decline slightly at mobile phone companies, while telecoms which lease circuits are expected to decrease spending by 20.2%, a reaction to vigorous investment in fiscal 1996. The ministry surveyed capital spending programs of about 1,000 firms as of March 15. Total outlays by Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp and other carriers with their own circuits will likely increase 2.1%, while spending by cable television firms is estimated to rise 51.4%. Combined investment plans of private broadcasting firms show a 36.3% decline, as they have mostly finished major investments such as office relocation.
