The data may force the prime minister, Taro Aso, to delay a general election until the autumn after a series of stimulus packages showed little sign of boosting domestic demand.

• 这个糟糕的数据可能会导致日本首相麻生太郎把大选推迟到秋天，直到一系列的刺激方案显示些微的刺激需求的作用。