TOKYO - Japan says it has downgraded the country's economic outlook for the first time in six months due to the fallout from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

Related readings:  IAEA says Japan crisis different from Chernobyl  IMF cuts Japan growth forecast due to quake  Japan ups nuke crisis rating to highest level

The Cabinet Office said Wednesday in an April report that the world's No 3 economy has shown "weakness" due to a drop in output and consumer spending following the twin disasters and ensuing nuclear crisis.

The April report gave a bleak view on Japan's economy. The government said in an earlier report in March that the economy was turning around. The March report was issued after the tsunami disaster, but at the time, the government said it did not fully grasp the depth of the destruction caused.