(Seoul=Yonhap Infomax) Min Jae Lee – Japan recorded a trade deficit last month, though the shortfall was smaller than market expectations.


According to the Ministry of Finance of Japan on the 21st, the country posted a trade deficit of ¥231.7 billion (approximately 2.17 trillion won) in October.


The deficit was narrower than the market consensus of a ¥280 billion shortfall.


The latest figure is similar to the previous month’s seasonally adjusted deficit of ¥234.6 billion. Japan has continued to post trade deficits since July.


Japan’s trade surplus with Asia in October stood at ¥209.1 billion, marking a 774.9% increase from a year earlier.


The trade surplus with the United States was ¥529.4 billion, down 33.6% year-on-year.


Exports in October rose 3.6% from a year earlier, exceeding the market forecast of a 1.1% increase, though falling short of the previous month’s 4.2% growth.


Imports increased 0.7% year-on-year, contrary to market expectations for a 0.7% decline. The previous month saw a 3.0% rise (seasonally adjusted).


Meanwhile, as of 09:07 local time, the USD/JPY exchange rate was trading at 157.470 yen, down 0.07% from the previous session.



mjlee@yna.co.kr


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