The recession deepened in November as companies cut production at the fastest pace in 55 years and rising unemployment prompted households to pare spending.
The trade ministry said Friday that factory output plunged 8.1 percent from October, more than the 6.8 percent estimated by economists. The jobless rate climbed to 3.9 percent from 3.7 percent, and household spending slid 0.5 percent for a ninth drop.
Simultaneous recessions in the U.S. and Europe have weakened demand for Japanese exports, prompting companies from Toyota Motor Corp. to Sony Corp. to idle plants and fire workers. The Bank of Japan has little room to spur the economy after cutting interest rates to just above zero last week, and Prime Minister Taro Aso has yet to launch two stimulus packages.