TOKYO, April 21 (Xinhua) -- The Japanese government on Monday cut its regional economic assessment for the first time in six years and three months.

    At a conference attended by financial officials from around the country, the Japanese finance ministry said domestic recovery was generally at a standstill in the first quarter of 2008.

    This was the first time for the ministry to revise down economic view since the Sept. 11 terrorist attack and the blast of IT bubbles in 2001.

    The ministry said it made the judgment out of weaker production activities and worsening business sentiment.

    Finance Minister Fukushiro Nukaga said the Japanese economy is facing rising downside risks and Japan would like to hear different voices in drawing future policies.

    Economic views for five of the total of 11 regions across Japan were adjusted downward by the ministry at the meeting.

    The ministry said as the Japanese economy will slowly increases in the coming period, risks confronting Japan are mounting due to a possible U.S. economic recession, the appreciation of yen and rising crude oil prices.