Japan's exports, imports fall due to coronavirus
The drop in exports was the worst since the 2008 financial crisis
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Coronavirus has hit another measure of the Japanese economy.
The recession-hit country's exports plunged nearly 22 percent in April while imports fell 7 percent, the country's worst drop in more than a decade as the pandemic slammed global demand.
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The drop in exports was the worst since the 2008 financial crisis.
For April, exports totaled $48 billion, down from the same month in 2019. Imports dropped to $57 billion, the Finance Ministry reported Thursday.
Like many other nations, Japan has asked people to work from home and maintain social distance to stop the virus from spreading.
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By sector, exports of vehicles, machinery, chemicals and textiles fell most sharply.
Imports edged down in iron and steel products, foods such as fish and cereal, and computer parts.
Japan is in a technical recession after a contraction that began in the last quarter of last year deepened in the January-March quarter.
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Tourism and travel had dwindled. Restaurants are closed or resorting to takeouts, and those that stay open are seeing fewer customers.
Even before, the world's third-largest economy barely eked out growth over some periods. The recent trade conflict between China and the U.S. also hurt Japan.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.