1.   And budgetary considerations are forcing further contractions.

2.   Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong earlier said he expects a further contraction in the fourth quarter.

3.   It is expected to show further contraction in manufacturing activity.

4.   No figures are available yet for the second quarter, which ended in June, but senior officials already have indicated that it is likely to show further contraction.

5.   Some experts predict further contraction in the next few years.

6.   The government will release third-quarter data later this month, but many already expect a further contraction.

7.   The Japanese government on Friday projected further contraction through the rest of the fiscal year ending in March, drastically downgrading its previous forecast.

8.   The government is expected to announce a further contraction in the second quarter Friday when it releases its first half economic report.