Japan exports shrink for 13th month in further blow to economy
(WorldNews Japan)

TOKYO — Japan’s exports fell for a 13th straight month in December, dragged down by U.S.-bound shipments of cars, construction and mining machinery, in a sign weak external demand is keeping a lid on the export-reliant economy. The 6.3% year-on-year fall in exports was worse than a 4.2% decrease expected by economists in a Reuters poll. It followed a revised 7.9% year-on-year decline in the previous month, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) data showed on Thursday. Analysts and policymakers say a...