Japan's economy in trouble

Trade deficit hits record as Japan's exports fall 45%
By Chris Oliver, MarketWatch

HONG KONG (MarketWatch) -- Japanese exports contracted 45.7% in January, surpassing the previous record decline, set in December, and stoking a record trade deficit, as the deepening global recession crimps overseas demand for Japanese goods. The deficit swelled to 952.6 billion yen ($9.92 billion), up from 320.7 billion yen in December, the Ministry of Finance said Wednesday. The trade gap was the largest in a data stream dating back to 1979.