Many Japanese smaller companies in the tourism, retail and other services sectors have encountered bankruptcy risks, as the epidemic of the new pneumonia-causing coronavirus has disrupted supply chains and has decreased the number of visitors to Japan from China. Related coverage: Excessive market movements undesirable for economy: Japan official Tokyo stocks tank, yen surges on coronavirus fears, oil crash Japan's yen may lose status as "safe-haven asset" amid virus spread The Japanese economy may be hit harder by the latest virus outbreak than by the aftermath of the 2008 global financial crisis or a magnitude 9.0 earthquake and ensuing tsunami that triggered the Fukushima nuclear disaster in March 2011, some analysts warn. As virus infection cases have been rising in Japan recently, "more firms could unnecessarily go bankrupt ahead," a credit dealer at Mizuho Securities Co. said, adding, "The BOJ should act soon."