Around 70 percent of major Japanese companies expect the country’s economy to expand over the next year, down from some 80 percent a year ago, due to concerns about a weak yen and inflation affecting personal consumption, a Kyodo News survey showed Sunday. A total of 72 percent said the economy is expected to expand solidly or grow moderately, with many citing a recovery of consumer spending, according to the survey of 111 firms including Toyota Motor Corp. and cosmetics maker Shiseido Co. While the percentage was lower than the 82 percent projecting growth last summer, the latest survey showe…