Japan July exports fall at fastest pace since financial crisis

Tokyo

JAPAN'S exports tumbled in July at the fastest pace since the global financial crisis with a resurgent yen adding to the challenge of weak external markets - leaving the economy and the government more reliant on shaky domestic demand to drive growth.

Japan's exports have now fallen for 10 consecutive months, the longest losing streak since losses on US sub-prime mortgages sparked a global financial crisis that crippled the US financial system.

In July, exports fell an annual 14 per cent, which matched the median estimate in a Reuters poll of economists…