More than half of surveyed major Japanese companies expect the nation's economic conditions to stay flat by the end of this year, citing such concerns as sluggish consumer spending, a firmer yen and effects of Britain's decision to leave the European Union, Japan's News (Kyodo) reported. 
Of a total of 108 companies surveyed in mid- to late July, including Toyota Motor Corp. and Panasonic Corp., 60 firms, or 56%, said they think the economy will stay "flat" by the end of this year and nine firms projected a moderate slowdown, while 35 firms expected a moderate expansion. 
The survey results indicate Japanese companies are taking a cautious approach on their future business. In the latest bid to pull Japan out of deflation, Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Cabinet approved an economic stimulus package worth 28.1 trillion yen ($274 billion) earlier this month.