Business failures in Japan drop slightly due to relief measures

But experts see more bankruptcies ahead as virus cases creep up

As cases of COVID-19 infection rise in Japan, restaurants are seeing fewer customers. (Photo by Kai Fujii)

RURIKA IMAHASHI, Nikkei staff writer

August 12, 2020 12:09 JST

TOKYO -- There was a total of 789 bankruptcy cases in Japan in July, down 1.62% from a year earlier following the introduction of business relief measures by the government and municipalities, after the country saw the highest monthly total for the year in June.

Analysis from Tokyo Shoko Research also found that total liabilities were up 7.94% year-on-year in July to 100.8 billion yen ($949 million).