Japanese merchants said they’re facing the toughest economic environment since the global financial crisis as the country braces for the full impact of the spreading coronavirus. Store managers, barbers, taxi drivers and others who deal directly with Japanese consumers haven’t been this pessimistic about their prospects since 2009, according to a Cabinet Office survey Monday. An index measuring people’s outlook dropped more than 17 points to 24.6. The Economy Watcher’s survey is one of the first consumer data points released by the Japanese government each month, so it gives a first glimpse of how people on the ... (full story)