Japan's services sector contracted for a sixth straight month in July, suggesting economic activity remained under pressure from the coronavirus crisis as the third quarter got under way
The sustained downturn in demand raises risks that the world's third-largest economy could remain mired in recession longer than expected and a revival may be more sluggish
The number of such "non-regular" workers posted its biggest drop on record in April, declining by 970,000 to 2.02 million. Women accounted for 710,000 of the decline
From first drone deliveries in the US, to how South Korea crushed its second outbreak, and the impact of Covid-19 on militant activity in Africa - read these and more in today's world dispatch
The 34 prefectures that aren't designated as "special alert" will see a partial easing of restriction requests once the spread of the virus comes under better control Economy Minister Yasutoshi said
Abe said the "huge, powerful" measures will include fiscal stimulus, monetary steps and tax breaks for companies, though the details have not been finalized.
The package came as the government ramps up its response to the virus, which has infected more than 500 people across the country and been linked to nine deaths
The market volatility and the widening hit to the economy from the coronavirus epidemic are adding pressure on the BOJ to ramp up stimulus at its March 18-19 policy meeting
The spending would be earmarked in a supplementary budget for this fiscal year to next March and an annual budget for the coming fiscal year from April
The package under work will include spending for disaster relief, infrastructure building and measures to help companies boost productivity, the newspaper said.
