From Hello Kitty to missiles, fifth of Japan firms reap record profits

From Hello Kitty to missiles, fifth of Japan firms reap record profits From Hello Kitty to missiles, fifth of Japan firms reap record profits

TOKYO — One in five Japanese listed companies reported record profits for the first fiscal half that ran from April to September, despite economic headwinds, a Nikkei tally shows.

Some 248 companies posted record earnings while overall corporate earnings slowed due to a sluggish Chinese economy and other factors. Companies that tapped growing demand for power infrastructure and defense equipment, and those that catered to foreign visitors, fared especially well.