Japan downgrades economic view in February on weak consumption

TOKYO, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- Japan's government on Wednesday lowered its view of the country's economy in February for the first time in three months, as it grew more cautious about the strength of private consumption and production.

"The Japanese economy is recovering at a moderate pace, although it recently appears to be pausing," the report said, dropping the phrase "in part" after the word pausing in the previ