[Japan] Glass Majors See Record Profits In Fisncal 2005

Three major Japanese glassmakers expect to post strong results for the current fiscal year as a result of higher sales of glass substrates and other products, with Asahi Glass Co and Central Glass Co forecasting record pre-tax profits. Nippon Sheet glass expects growth in both sales and pre-tax profit. Asahi Glass sees group pre-tax profit reaching an all-time high of JPY 138BN. Central Glass expects a second straight year of record profits with the figure set to reach JPY 19BN, thanks to strong sales of special glass products. Nippon Sheet Glass projects a 13% rise in pre-tax profit to JPY 15BN. Output capacity of printer lenses will be increased and an equity-method affiliate producing substrates for LCDs is expected to perform strongly.