Japan’s [B]Current Account[/B] deficit widened much more than economists expected, showing a gap of -172.8 billion yen versus forecasts of -15.3 billion, the largest monthly shortfall in at least 23 years and the first negative print since 1996. Sagging exports accounted for much of the decline as the global recession crushed demand for Japanese products. Outbound shipments fell 46.3% from a year earlier. A report covering the trade portion of the release revealed that shipments to key markets shrank by unprecedented margins, with exports to the US down -52.9% and those to Europe and China lower by -47.4% and -45.1%, respectively. Dwindling overseas sales have pushed Japanese companies to cut back production capacity and boosted unemployment, weighing on consumption and depressing economic growth. On balance, some hope may lay ahead if the recent decline in the [B]Japanese Yen[/B] is to be sustained, helping to encourage overseas sales by making Japanese goods cheaper for foreign buyers. The currency has slipped 10.6% since January, lifting sentiment in the manufacturing sector.