Japanese consumer confidence fell at the fastest pace on record in April from the previous month, data showed today, after the March earthquake and tsunami and a nuclear crisis overshadowed the economy.
The data showed consumer sentiment worsening to a reading of 33.1 in April from 38.6 in March, when the index had plunged following Japan's biggest recorded earthquake and a tsunami on March 11 that devastated swathes of the northeast coast.
Readings below 50 indicate pessimism outweighing optimism. The data showed the index fell by 5.5, the sharpest drop since records began in April 2004, according to the Cabinet Office. April's reading was the lowest level for two years.
