Japan Records First Trade Surplus in Five Months

(MENAFN) Japan achieved its first trade surplus in five months in November, totaling 322.3 billion yen ($2 billion), as shipments to the United States increased for the first time in eight months, according to government figures released on Wednesday.

Overall exports climbed 6.1% compared to the previous year, reaching 9.71 trillion yen ($62.6 billion). This marked the third consecutive monthly rise, propelled by semiconductor and electronic component deliveries to Asia, along with pharmaceutical exports to the US, the country’s Finance Ministry reported.

Imports also grew, rising 1.3% to 9.39 trillion yen ($60.5 billion), representing a third consecutive month of increase. The growth was largely driven by engines from the European Union and semiconductor chips from Asia, according to the ministry’s preliminary report, as cited by a news agency.

Exports to the US surged 8.8% to 1.82 trillion yen ($11.7 billion), with automobile shipments increasing 1.5%, marking the first rise since March prior to the country implementing an industry tax.

"While the negative impact of the (US) tariffs has not been completely wiped out, November's US-bound auto exports offered a somewhat positive sign," remarked Takafumi Fujita, an economist at the Meiji Yasuda Research Institute.

Japan’s trade surplus with the US expanded 11.3% to 739.8 billion yen ($4.7 billion), representing the first increase in seven months. Meanwhile, imports from the US rose 7.1% to 1.08 trillion yen ($6.9 billion).

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