Japanese Economy

The yen's recent appreciation comes as the world's third-largest economy has been bottoming out from its deepest postwar slump

While companies see the money as a buffer against hard times, it has long riled investors, who say executives should invest it for growth or return it to shareholders

The slump in the world's third-biggest economy adds to signs elsewhere in Asia and Europe of weakening momentum

Japan needed a shakeup after 20-plus years in the doldrums

However, new orders and export orders still declined at a significant rate

More funding for public works on the cards; budget will be second such this fiscal to finance reconstruction of earthquake-hit areas