Asian Economy: Overview, Growth and Development.

The year 2019 was a bumpy one for Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in steering his country's economy, and next year isn't looking any easier.

Data over the past two months show the world's third-largest economy has been hit with a double blow. Exports are falling after the U.S.-China trade war and other troubles hit industries in China that rely on Japanese parts. At home, retailers are suffering after Mr. Abe reluctantly made the call to raise the national sales tax to 10percent from 8percent.

"It is true that some weakness has been observed in exports, production and business sentiment," Bank of Japan Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda said Thursday.

Japan's...