On fiscal policy, only 35 percent felt the government's fiscal policy was "too restrictive, " down from 43 percent in September, perhaps reflecting the improving economy since then, the NABE said.

NPR: Economists Were Opposed To Automatic Spending Cuts

The third round of quantitative easing, known as QE3, decided upon by the Federal Reserve in December, may have contributed to the view that its policy was too stimulative, the NABE said.

NPR: Economists Were Opposed To Automatic Spending Cuts

By the time our own pot of harihari-nabe finally arrived, all we could do was play with the needle-thin (hari means "needle") stalks of mizuna greens and take a bite or two of whale leftovers.

FORBES: Life

"NABE's January 2009 Industry Survey depicts the worst business conditions since the survey began in 1982, confirming that the U.S. recession deepened in the fourth quarter of 2008, " Sara Johnson, a NABE economist, told CNNMoney.com.

CNN: Tens of thousands lose jobs as recession bites

On the other hand, a survey by the National Association for Business Economics ( NABE) shows that economists from Ford, DuPont, JPMorgan Chase, and others, are confident that the worst fiscal cliff impact is unlikely.

FORBES: The Fiscal Cliff: Look Who's Leading Now