BOJ's Yamaguchi:Japan economy may hit soft patch

TOKYO, Feb 8 - Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Hirohide Yamaguchi said on Monday the Japanese economy could hit a soft patch until around the summer before returning to a more sustainable recovery path.

"We expect the recovery to continue. But the economy will be in a severe condition until the summer. Quarter-on-quarter growth won't be big and we may even hit a soft patch," Yamaguchi said at lower house budget committee.