The financial crisis rippling through the global economy has claimed another casualty as Japan has slipped into its first recession in seven years, Reuters reports. Third quarter statistics reveal a 0.1% contraction in Japan's Gross Domestic Product. Japanese economists warn the nation could languish in recession for an entire year and that interest rates may be cut further.
A key economist predicted continuing bad news, "given the fact that we can no longer rely on exports as overseas economies are slowing down." Stocks in Asia and Europe were down today, led by financial and energy shares, hit by continuing concerns about the world economy. "We are not seeing any kind of recovery," said an analyst.
(More Japan stories.)