Disappointing Nov data raises fresh doubts over Japan's economic recovery

Tokyo

INDUSTRIAL output and retail sales both fell in Japan during November, it was announced on Monday, suggesting that 2015 will go out on a subdued note for the world's third largest economy and adding to fears of renewed economic contraction in the final quarter of the year.

At the same time, the head of one of Japan's principal business lobbies on Monday showed resistance to calls by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for companies to raise wages and capital investment in 2016 in order to help boost economic growth in 2016.