Japan Jobless Rate Rises, Factory Output Anemic

By SHINO YUASA

TOKYO -- Japan's unemployment rate rose for the first time in six months in April and industrial production remained anemic after a record drop in the aftermath of March's earthquake and tsunami.

The twin disasters already have sent Japan's economy back into recession and Moody's Investors Service warned Tuesday it could downgrade Japan's sovereign credit rating due to the faltering economy and massive public debt.