1.   Analysts are concerned that there are signs the Japanese economic recovery is flagging.

2.   Bank of Japan Gov. Yasuo Matsushita said the pace of the Japanese economic recovery will accelerate.

3.   A Japanese recovery and the promise of increased imports from the U.S. also could help shrink the politically sensitive trade deficit with Tokyo.

4.   Even so, a handful of major brokerages -- most notably Morgan Stanley -- have become optimistic about the prospects of a Japanese recovery.

5.   Hashimoto said a strong Japanese recovery is crucial for Asian economic growth.

6.   He added that the Japanese recovery is being led by domestic demand, one of the U.S. concerns.

7.   He repeatedly noted the importance of a Japanese economic recovery to Asia and the rest of the world, including the United States and Russia.

8.   Hope for a Japanese recovery grew after an official of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party said the government would release new economy boosting measures sooner than expected.

9.   If a Japanese recovery is generated by an aggressive monetary policy, then the risk is the yen will weaken.

10.   In addition, imports will slow and exports pick up as the European and Japanese recoveries gather steam.