Supporters there backing his call to lift restrictions despite an increasing number of cases. And a sigh of relief for the u. S. Economy as carmakers send their employees back to work. The worlds 3rd largest economy has slipped into recession japan has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic its economy shrank for the 2nd consecutive quarter by just under one percent in the 1st 3 months of this year Prime Minister shinzo abhi had announced a massive Relief Program last month to keep the economy on track japan has recorded more than 16000 cases of the virus and close to 750 deaths Robert Wright is in seoul he says the stimulus announced by the japanese government may not be enough to revive the economy. Weve had now 2 quarters where the economy has contract and so it is in a recession but this started at the end of last year in the last quarter this is well before anybody had even heard of coded 19 japan had already been hit by a rise in a culture of virtual sales tax from 8 percent t