Japanese exports in record 27% fall

Strong yen and weak global demand take toll

TOKYO, Dec 22 – Japan’s exports plunged at a record annual pace in November with shipments to Asia dropping the most since 1986 as a global economic slump and a surging yen slashed demand for everything from autos to electronics.

While imports fell 14.4 per cent as the Japanese economy languished in recession, the 26.7 per cent plunge in exports was large enough to keep the trade balance in deficit for a second month running. Japan last logged trade deficits two months in a row during a previous spell of yen strength in 1980.