Oct 22nd - 70% Of Japan Firms In Asia, Oceania To Report Profit In FY10

About 70% of Japanese companies with operations in the Asia-Oceania region are expected to post an operating profit for fiscal 2010, according to an industry survey.

The survey released Thursday by the Japan External Trade Organization, or JETRO, also showed that more than 60% of the respondents expect their operations to expand over the next year or two.

The results highlight how Asia has helped drive a marked recovery in their earnings.

On management challenges, more than half of the respondents listed higher wages and intensifying competition. Wages rose 14.2% in Vietnam, 13% in Myanmar and 12.1% in China. They also climbed more than 10% in three other nations.

The survey targeted Japanese companies operating in 18 Asian and Oceanian economies, with about 3,500 firms responding.