Chiba Prefecture Business Conditions Survey (2018).pdf

- Business Conditions (BSI) Index (All Industries):
- Current: △0.9 (worse than 17-10-12 period by △8.7), 4 periods of deterioration.
- Future (18-04-06): Expected improvement.

- Sales BSI Index (All Industries):
- Current: △1.6 (worse than previous period), but 4 periods of increase.
- Future (18-04-06): Expected improvement.

- Profit BSI Index (All Industries):
- Current: △2.1 (worse than previous period), 4 periods of deterioration.
- Future (18-04-06): Expected improvement.

- Selling Price BSI Index (All Industries):
- Current: △7.0 (down from previous period), but 5 periods of increase.
- Future (18-04-06): Expected increase.

- Purchasing Price BSI Index (All Industries):
- Current: △2.0 (up for 2 periods), 33 periods of increase.
- Future (18-04-06): Expected increase.

- Investment in Plant and Equipment (All Industries):
- 17-Year: △24.9% lower than 16-Year.
- 18-Year Plan: +4.8% higher than 17-Year.

- Employment BSI Index (All Industries):
- Current: △2.0 (up for 2 periods), 20 periods of shortage.
- Future (18-04-06): Expected reduction in shortage.

- Major Management Issues:
- "Labor Shortage/Difficulty in Recruitment" (increased).
- "Sales Slump" (most mentioned for the first time in 27 years).

- Production, Operating Rate, Orders Received, and Inventory BSI Index (Manufacturing Industry):
- Production: △0.5 (worse than previous period), 4 periods of decrease.
- Operating Rate: △5.3 (worse than previous period), 4 periods of increase.
- Orders Received: △1.7 (worse than previous period), 2 periods of decrease.
- Inventory: △1.1 (worse than previous period), 2 periods of overstock.

- Future Expectations (All Industries):
- Business Conditions, Sales, Profit, Selling Price, and Orders Received: Expected improvement.
- Purchasing Price and Inventory: Expected increase.