0217 GMT - Recent Japanese capex-related indicators show companies' investment appetite remains strong despite geopolitical headwinds, says Norinchukin Research Institute economist Takeshi Minami. "Although there is no clear end in sight to the conflict in the Middle East, capital expenditure statistics are expected to remain solid for the time being, buoyed by expanding AI demand and hopes for the Takaichi administration's growth strategy," he says. Core machinery orders, seen as a leading indicator of corporate capital spending, rose 11.2% in July from a year earlier, marking two consecutive months of growth, government data showed Wednesday.