Japan 'economy in fragile state' after earthquake

The Japanese stock market closed down at nearly 6.2% on the first day of trading since the earthquake hit the country.

To try and help calm the markets, Japan's central bank pumped in 15 trillion yen ($183bn; £114bn) to the banking system.

Many companies - particularly electronics and automotive firms - have closed factories or stopped production.

Dr Peter Westaway is a global economist at Japanese bank Nomura and he told the BBC that whilst the Japanese economy is ''in a fragile state'' it is unlikely to go back into recession.