The economy is recovering moderately, the government said in its report for October, reinforcing the view that what would be Japan's second-longest postwar expansion phase is still in place.

But the government cut its overall view on imports for the first time since August 2015, saying the recent pick-up is coming to a standstill. The downgrade came after sluggish smartphone imports from China, particularly Apple Inc.'s latest iPhone 8.

"The Japanese economy is on a moderate recovery," the Cabinet Office said Wednesday, using the same wording for the fifth month straight.