Exports post record fall in February

This is what happens when you have a neo-merchantilist economy that is driven by its dependence on export markets. Indeed, the normally healthy BOT figures that Japan enjoys have long been a point of contention with other countries (trading partners). I suppose Japan might change its ways if it finds itself no longer able to depend on overseas markets. Then again, such a fundamental change in policy would require solid and concerted political will. In contemporary Japan? Forget it.

Thouh harvest what you sow.

Nothing to celebrate WBC (Worst Business Conditions) it's of serious concern. Aso Team needs to act like Samurai Japan.

When the economy recovers, Japan better be ready to meet the new demands, as people on the recovering side of an economy always have different spending habits than they did going in. If japan can't meet their needs, somebody else will (china, india..) and Japan will unfortunately be left behind. The J-politicians better take this as a wake up call, business as usual ain't gonna work no more.

I got an " IDEA " drop the prices down. Especially, Japanese automobiles and flat screen t.v.'s Discount them heavily.

Drop the prices down ! Before your company files bankruptcy.

timorborder -- spot on, on all counts. Japan Inc. was built on a single model/vision -- driven by exports, and with all the inter-holdings of companies and banks, and the close relationship between goverment and industry, supporting it. No one in any real position of power really knows or understands any different model. So there is no way they can intelligently discuss options. We all just have to suck it up and wait for the U.S. to recover.

This is just a blip that will be all but forgotten about in a year or so.

Besides, since most Japanese companies generally try their hardest to keep staff on despite poor order books, they will be very well placed to pick up the pace when recovery starts.

It is the short sighted western companies that lay people off at a hint of a downturn to appease the shareholders that will be in trouble.

archiebald -- think you are being way too optimistic. The debt-laden/export-driven model is fatally flawed, not just temporarily slowed. And, with a shrinking work force, and aging population, the ability of Japan to increase domestic consumption is further weakened.

China,India,Russia,Brazil and Indonesia made products now compete with Japan products. Machines,Cars,TVs and many other products,now made in BRIC nations and Indonesia.

Japan products is high quality,but many buying products made by these nations outside Japan due to lower price,sometimes even up to 50 percent lower price.

Japan needs to be patient and practise more higher quality tactics.

More rich people now in India,China,Russia,Brazil ,Indonesia and Asia,their richer class will buy higher quality. The market for japan made goods will increase via BRIC nations and Indonesia richer class demands ,in future.

High quality japan made products is a shifting to high quality niche market in global market in 2009/2010s.