McDonald’s says that a key global sales metric fell 1.8 per cent in January, continuing to be weighed down by struggles in Japan and China.

The world’s largest hamburger chain said that sales at locations in the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific region open at least 13 months dropped 12.6 per cent.

McDonald’s Corp said its performance in the segment was hurt by broad based consumer perception issues in Japan as well as the ongoing fallout from a food safety scandal in China and shift in the timing of the Chinese New Year.

The figure edged up 0.4 per cent in the US and climbed 0.5 per cent in Europe.

McDonald’s, based in Illinois, announced last month that Steve Easterbrook will become its new president and CEO, succeeding the retiring Don Thompson.

AP