Japan's capacity utilization ratio fell 6.9 percent in 2001 to hit a record-low 92.4, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said Thursday.
The nation's production capacity dropped a record 3.1 percent to an index reading of 95.8, marking its fourth consecutive year of decline and hitting its lowest point since 93.9 in 1989, the ministry said. The data has been compiled annually since 1968.
"Capacity utilization continues to fall at factories amid the prolonged slump in demand and consumption," a ministry official said. "Companies are stopping the operation of production facilities or getting rid of them altogether."