16 hitachi ltd annual report 2002 the information and telecommunications market suffered a worldwide slowdown in 2001 symbolic of this was negative growth hardware due to reduced investment by carriers effects september 11 terrorist attacks us japan languishing economy sluggish capital spending held sales corporate customers slight gain climate segment recorded 2 increase 1 829 6 billion 13 757 million fiscal however operating income declined 27 35 7 269 software services posted 960 8 224 up year on 45 0 338 sector were higher at 191 5 440 supported firm products that have commanded high share japanese increased 17 769 3 784 supporting results healthy systems financial public sectors as well demand for maintenance
