As more people avoid crowded areas and opt to stay home due to the spread of coronavirus in Japan, retail, leisure and dining businesses are being hit, as economists predict a fall of over 2 trillion yen ($18 billion) in household consumption.Japanese-style izakaya pubs reported group cancellations after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday asked organizers of big sport and cultural events over the next two weeks to consider canceling or postponing them in the wake of the pneumonia-causing virus.Noting spring is a season for send-off and welcome parties in Japan, with business fiscal year…READ FULL ARTICLE
