Deterioration in business sentiment of small and medium-sized enterprises The worst rate of decline in the past Japan Chamber of Commerce March 31 18:57

The Japanese Chamber of Commerce announced that the business sentiment of small and medium-sized enterprises nationwide has deteriorated sharply due to the spread of the new coronavirus, and the decline from last month to this month has been the worst since the survey began.

The survey was conducted by the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry on more than 2,600 SMEs nationwide from 13 to 19 this month, and about 2030 companies responded.

According to that, when asked about business sentiment compared to the same month last year, the figure obtained by subtracting the percentage of companies who answered "deterioration" from the percentage of companies who answered "upturn" was -49 for all industries .

Last month's survey was minus 32.6, down 16.4 points during the month, the worst decline since the survey began in April 1989.

With the spread of the new coronavirus, there has been a major impact on the decline in sales in the food and beverage and lodging businesses, as a result of a series of movements to curtail going out and cancellations of events.

When asked about the impact on management, 44.4% answered that "impact is occurring", an increase of four times the previous month. In addition, 47.7% answered that there is a concern that prolonged prolonged effects will be affected.

According to the Japan Chamber of Commerce, "I would like to further strengthen consultation on financing and employment at the windows of various chambers of commerce so that SMEs do not go bankrupt or go out of business."