Japan records a trade deficit for the third straight fiscal year despite recovering exports
Japan recorded a trade deficit for the third straight fiscal year as the costs of energy and other imports rose and the yen remained weak
By YURI KAGEYAMA
Published - Apr 16, 2024, 11:09 PM ET
Last Updated - Apr 16, 2024, 11:10 PM EDT
TOKYO (AP) — Japan recorded a trade deficit for the third straight fiscal year as the costs of energy and other imports rose and the yen remained weak.
The deficit was 5.89 trillion yen ($38 billion) for the fiscal year that ended in March, according to Finance Ministry data released Wednesday.
The biggest trade deficits were in the Middle East, mainly Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, as well as Australia and Indonesia. Japan had a trade surplus with the U.S. and some European countries.
Annual exports to China slipped slightly, declining for the first time in four years, although the latest monthly data show exports to China recovering, growing 12% from the previous year.
