Japanese Consumer Confidence Plunges by Record After Quake

Japan’s consumer confidence fell the most on record last month after the nation’s unprecedented earthquake, adding to signs the world’s third-largest economy may contract this quarter.

The household sentiment index dropped to 38.6 in March from 41.2 in February, according to seasonally adjusted figures released by the Cabinet Office today in Tokyo. It was the biggest decline since comparable figures were made available in April 2007.