国际英语新闻：Japan's gov't maintains economic assessment

TOKYO, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- The government of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) said Tuesday that the economy is slowly picking up, despite risks to the nation's economic recovery, in a report released by the cabinet office.

"Economic conditions are continuing to improve, but cannot yet continue without measures because factors such as the high unemployment rate mean there are still risks," the report said.

On exports, the report changed its view to say that they are " increasing moderately." In January, it had said they were increasing and led by exports to Asia.

On imports the report also changed its view from January's '' improving'' to ''moderately improving'' for February, citing a decline in raw materials being brought into the country.

The report also cut its assessment on fixed investment for the first time in seven years, saying it was getting weaker, and citing the policy of the government of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, which has looked to cut money directed into large public- works projects.

The report also acknowledged that Japan is currently suffering from mild deflation. Government data released earlier this month showed that while Japan's GDP increased, it had posted the biggest drop in prices in more than 50 years.

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) and the government have both put in place measures to try to maintain the nation's economic recovery amid risks that low household spending and high unemployment may lead to another downturn.