Japan’s trade deficit narrowed in August to JPY -242.5B, smaller than expectations for JPY -513.6B, as exports outperformed forecasts. Overall exports dipped just 0.1% yoy to JPY 8425B, beating projections for a 1.9% yoy decline. Imports, however, fell -5.2% yoy to JPY 8668B, a steeper drop than the -4.2% yoy contraction expected.
The details highlighted stark divergences. Exports to the U.S. tumbled -13.8% yoy, the sharpest fall since February 2021, led by a -28.3% yoy plunge in autos and a -38.9% yoy drop in chipmaking equipment. By contrast, shipments to Asia rose 1.7% yoy, while exports to Western Europe jumped 7.7% yoy. Exports to mainland China slipped 0.5% yoy, though shipments to Hong Kong surged 14.4% yoy.
