Industrial output rose in February at a slower pace than the previous month and factories believe production plunged in March, adding to growing signs that the coronavirus pandemic is taking a toll on an economy already on the cusp of recession.
While retail sales fared well in February, job availability fell to a near three-year low in a sign the economy was losing momentum even before the fallout from the COVID-19 outbreak widened in March.
Analysts say the full impact of the pandemic will start to appear in data for March and beyond, which some say could show Japan on course for deep stagnation.