TOKYO -- Japanese listed companies continue to improve their ability to generate profits, as they scored a second year of record profits in the year ended March 31, with automakers and manufacturers of chipmaking and industrial automation equipment leading the way.
Combined net profit of the 1,566 companies that have released their fiscal 2017 results by Friday rose 35% to 29.37 trillion yen ($264 billion), according to data compiled by Nikkei. The tally excludes financial companies.
