Subsequently, Japan’s economy picked up rapidly after leveling out around spring 2009, owing to the progress in global inventory restocking, the expansion of fiscal spending, and substantial monetary easing. In 2010, the pace of recovery slowed temporarily from summer through autumn, but the recovery trend remained intact until early 2011.
C.  Current conditions and outlook  The Great East Japan Earthquake struck in March 2011, and Japan’s economy once again came under strong downward pressure. Many facilities were damaged by the disaster, and the production and distribution of manufactured goods came to a standstill.