The government on Tuesday maintained its overall economic assessment for February for the seventh consecutive month, although it pointed to emerging weakness in some areas, including exports, which have been a driving force for recovery.
In its monthly economic report, the Cabinet Office revised its assessment on exports downward for the first time in 13 months, saying they are "increasing moderately," instead of the previous month's "increasing, led by those to Asia."
Noting declines in imports of raw materials, the report also cut its valuation on overall imports for the first time in 12 months.
Keisuke Tsumura, a parliamentary secretary at the Cabinet Office, said the government will carefully monitor the effects of Toyota Motor Corp.'s massive vehicle recall on exports.