Question

natalie owns a clothing store in new york city that sells fashions designed in japan. after a powerful earthquake strikes japan, natalies shop struggles to stay open. what is the best explanation of why an earthquake on the other side of the globe impacts natalies shop? the earthquake shifted japans fashion industry focus to domestic markets, causing a drop in exports to international stores like natalies. the earthquake caused a global financial crisis, leading people to stop buying luxury items like clothing, which hurt natalies business. the earthquake disrupted global supply chains, damaging factories and ports in japan, which delayed shipments of clothing to natalies store in new york. the earthquake led to a massive increase in the price of cotton globally, making it too expensive for natalie to afford her usual stock of clothing from japan.

Explanation:

Earthquakes can damage infrastructure like factories and ports in Japan. This disruption to the supply - chain would delay the shipments of clothing to Natalie's store in New York, which can cause her shop to struggle. The other options are less likely as there is no indication that the fashion industry shifted focus to domestic markets, the earthquake caused a global financial crisis, or there was a massive cotton price increase due to the earthquake.

Answer:

The earthquake disrupted global supply chains, damaging factories and ports in Japan, which delayed shipments of clothing to Natalie's store in New York.