Japan’s exports surged 10.3% yoy in July, reaching JPY 9,619B—a record high for the month. The growth of export value was was largely driven by the weaker yen, which marked a -12.3% depreciation from a year ago. On volume basis, exports actually declined by -5.2% yoy.
Regionally, Japan’s exports to the US grew by 7.3%, a slight deceleration from the previous month. Exports to China remained steady with a 7.2% increase, while shipments to the EU saw a decline of -5.3%.
On the import side, Japan recorded a 16.6% yoy increase, bringing the total to JPY 10,241B—the largest ever for July. As a result, the trade balance showed a deficit of JPY -622 B.
In seasonally adjusted terms, exports rose 1.7% mom to JPY 9,137B, while imports increased by 0.9% mom to JPY 9,893B, leading to a seasonally adjusted trade deficit of JPY -755B.