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Japan Unexpectedly Posts Trade Surplus
Japan’s trade balance swung to a surplus of JPY 301.9 billion in April 2026 from a deficit of JPY 149.5 billion in the same month a year earlier, sharply beating market expectations for a shortfall of JPY 29.7 billion. It was the largest trade surplus since November, as export growth continued to outpace imports. Exports surged 14.8% year-on-year to a near-record JPY 10,507.3 billion, accelerating from an 11.5% rise in March and marking the strongest growth in three months, supported by robust demand from China, the U.S., ASEAN economies, and the EU. Meanwhile, imports increased 9.7% to JPY 10,205.4 billion, easing slightly from March’s 10.9% gain but still exceeding market forecasts of 8.3%. Import demand remained resilient, partly supported by the Japanese government’s sizeable stimulus measures introduced in late 2025.
Published on 2026-05-21

Japan Unexpectedly Posts Trade Surplus
Japan’s trade balance swung to a surplus of JPY 301.9 billion in April 2026 from a deficit of JPY 149.5 billion in the same month a year earlier, sharply beating market expectations for a shortfall of JPY 29.7 billion. It was the largest trade surplus since November, as export growth continued to outpace imports. Exports surged 14.8% year-on-year to a near-record JPY 10,507.3 billion, accelerating from an 11.5% rise in March while marking the strongest growth in three months and exceeding the consensus of 9.3%, supported by robust demand from China, the U.S., ASEAN economies, and the EU. Meanwhile, imports increased 9.7% to JPY 10,205.4 billion, easing slightly from March’s 10.9% gain but still exceeding market forecasts of 8.3%. Import demand remained resilient, partly supported by the Japanese government’s sizeable stimulus measures introduced in late 2025. The latest reading marked the third consecutive month of import growth, although it was the softest pace in the sequence.
Published on 2026-05-21

Japan Unexpectedly Posts Trade Surplus
Japan’s trade balance swung to a surplus of JPY 301.9 billion in April 2026 from a deficit of JPY 149.5 billion in the same month a year earlier, sharply beating market expectations for a shortfall of JPY 29.7 billion. It was the largest trade surplus since November, as export growth continued to outpace imports. Exports surged 14.8% year-on-year to a near-record JPY 10,507.3 billion, accelerating from an 11.5% rise in March while marking the strongest growth in three months and exceeding the consensus of 9.3%, supported by robust demand from China, the U.S., ASEAN economies, and the EU. Meanwhile, imports increased 9.7% to JPY 10,205.4 billion, easing slightly from March’s 10.9% gain but still exceeding market forecasts of 8.3%. Import demand remained resilient, partly supported by the Japanese government’s sizeable stimulus measures introduced in late 2025.
Published on 2026-05-21

Japan Unexpectedly Posts Trade Surplus
Japan’s trade balance swung to a surplus of JPY 301.9 billion in April 2026 from a deficit of JPY 149.5 billion in the same month a year earlier, sharply beating market expectations for a shortfall of JPY 29.7 billion. It was the largest trade surplus since November, as export growth continued to outpace imports. Exports surged 14.8% year-on-year to a near-record JPY 10,507.3 billion, accelerating from an 11.5% rise in March while marking the strongest growth in three months and exceeding the consensus of 9.3%, supported by robust demand from China, the U.S., ASEAN economies, and the EU. Meanwhile, imports increased 9.7% to JPY 10,205.4 billion, easing slightly from March’s 10.9% gain but still exceeding market forecasts of 8.3%. Import demand remained resilient, partly supported by the Japanese government’s sizeable stimulus measures introduced in late 2025.
Published on 2026-05-21

Japan Unexpectedly Posts Trade Surplus
Japan’s trade balance swung to a surplus of JPY 301.9 billion in April 2026 from a deficit of JPY 149.5 billion in the same month a year earlier, sharply beating market expectations for a shortfall of JPY 29.7 billion. It was the largest trade surplus since November, as export growth continued to outpace imports. Exports surged 14.8% year-on-year to a near-record JPY 10,507.3 billion, accelerating from an 11.5% rise in March and marking the strongest growth in three months, supported by robust demand from China, the U.S., ASEAN economies, and the EU. Meanwhile, imports increased 9.7% to JPY 10,205.4 billion, easing slightly from March’s 10.9% gain but still exceeding market forecasts of 8.3%. Import demand remained resilient, partly supported by the Japanese government’s sizeable stimulus measures introduced in late 2025.
Published on 2026-05-21

Japan Trade Surplus Below Estimates
Japan’s trade surplus increased to JPY 667.0 billion in March 2026 from JPY 529.8 billion in the same month a year earlier, as export growth outpaced imports. It was the second straight month of trade surplus, but fell short of market expectations for a JPY 1,106 billion gain. Exports rose 11.7% year-on-year to a record high of JPY 11,003.3 billion, beating forecasts of 11% and picking up from February’s 4.0% gain, supported by solid demand from China and ASEAN economies as well as a modest rise in U.S. shipments. Meanwhile, imports rose 10.9% to JPY 10,336.3 billion, exceeding expectations of 7.1% and accelerating from February’s 10.3% increase. This marked the fastest import growth since January 2025, driven by resilient domestic demand following Tokyo’s sizeable stimulus rollout in late 2025.
Published on 2026-04-22

Japan Trade Surplus Below Estimates
Japan’s trade surplus increased to JPY 667.0 billion in March 2026 from JPY 529.8 billion in the same month a year earlier, as export growth outpaced imports. It was the second straight month of trade surplus, but fell short of market expectations for a JPY 1,106 billion gain. Exports rose 11.7% year-on-year to a record high of JPY 11,003.3 billion, beating forecasts of 11% and picking up from February’s 4.0% gain, supported by solid demand from China and ASEAN economies as well as a modest rise in U.S. shipments. Meanwhile, imports rose 10.9% to JPY 10,336.3 billion, exceeding expectations of 7.1% and accelerating from February’s 10.3% increase. This marked the fastest import growth since January 2025, driven by resilient domestic demand following Tokyo’s sizeable stimulus rollout in late 2025.
Published on 2026-04-22

Japan Trade Surplus Below Estimates
Japan’s trade surplus increased to JPY 667.0 billion in March 2026 from JPY 529.8 billion in the same month a year earlier, marking a second straight month in surplus as export growth outpaced imports. However, the latest figure missed market expectations for a JPY 1,106 billion surplus. Exports rose 11.7% year-on-year to a record high of JPY 11,003.3 billion, beating forecasts of 11% and accelerating from February’s 4.0% gain. Growth was supported by strong demand from China, the EU, and ASEAN economies, alongside a modest rebound in shipments to the U.S. Meanwhile, imports increased 10.9% to JPY 10,336.3 billion, surpassing forecasts of 7.1% and quickening from February’s 10.3% rise. This marked the fastest import growth since January 2025, underpinned by resilient domestic demand following Tokyo’s sizeable stimulus rollout in late 2025.
Published on 2026-04-22

Japan Trade Surplus Widens But Misses Estimates
Japan’s trade surplus increased to JPY 667.0 billion in March 2026 from JPY 529.8 billion in the same month a year earlier, marking a second straight month in surplus as export growth outpaced imports. However, the latest figure fell short of market expectations for a JPY 1,106 billion gain. Exports rose 11.7% yoy to a record high of JPY 11,003.3 billion, beating forecasts of 11% and accelerating from February’s 4.0% gain. Growth was supported by strong demand from China, the EU, and ASEAN countries, alongside a modest rebound in shipments to the U.S. Meantime, imports rose10.9% to JPY 10,336.3 billion, surpassing forecasts of 7.1% and quickening from 10.3% in February. This was the fastest import growth since January 2025, on solid domestic demand after Tokyo’s sizeable stimulus rollout in late 2025. Looking ahead, Japan’s trade outlook remains uncertain amid the fallout from the Middle East conflict, as many shipments in March had already left the region before the escalation began.
Published on 2026-04-22

Japan Trade Surplus Below Estimates
Japan’s trade surplus increased to JPY 667.0 billion in March 2026 from JPY 529.8 billion in the same month a year earlier, as export growth outpaced imports. It was the second straight month of trade surplus, but fell short of market expectations for a JPY 1,106 billion gain. Exports rose 11.7% year-on-year to a record high of JPY 11,003.3 billion, beating forecasts of 11% and picking up from February’s 4.0% gain, supported by solid demand from China and ASEAN economies as well as a modest rise in U.S. shipments. Meanwhile, imports rose 10.9% to JPY 10,336.3 billion, exceeding expectations of 7.1% and accelerating from February’s 10.3% increase. This marked the fastest import growth since January 2025, driven by resilient domestic demand following Tokyo’s sizeable stimulus rollout in late 2025.
Published on 2026-04-22

Japan Trade Surplus Below Estimates
Japan’s trade surplus increased to JPY 667.0 billion in March 2026 from JPY 529.8 billion in the same month a year earlier, marking a second straight month in surplus as export growth outpaced imports. However, the latest figure missed market expectations for a JPY 1,106 billion surplus. Exports rose 11.7% year-on-year to a record high of JPY 11,003.3 billion, beating forecasts of 11% and accelerating from February’s 4.0% gain. Growth was supported by strong demand from China, the EU, and ASEAN economies, alongside a modest rebound in shipments to the U.S. Meanwhile, imports increased 10.9% to JPY 10,336.3 billion, surpassing forecasts of 7.1% and quickening from February’s 10.3% rise. This marked the fastest import growth since January 2025, underpinned by resilient domestic demand following Tokyo’s sizeable stimulus rollout in late 2025.
Published on 2026-04-22

Japan Trade Surplus Below Estimates
Japan’s trade surplus increased to JPY 667.0 billion in March 2026 from JPY 529.8 billion in the same month a year earlier, as export growth outpaced imports. It was the second straight month of trade surplus, but fell short of market expectations for a JPY 1,106 billion surplus. Exports rose 11.7% year-on-year to a record high of JPY 11,003.3 billion, beating forecasts of 11% and accelerating from February’s 4.0% gain, mainly supported by solid demand from China and ASEAN economies as well as a modest rise in U.S. shipments. Meanwhile, imports rose 10.9% to JPY 10,336.3 billion, exceeding expectations of 7.1% and accelerating from February’s 10.3% increase. This marked the fastest import growth since January 2025, driven by resilient domestic demand following Tokyo’s sizeable stimulus rollout in late 2025.
Published on 2026-04-22

Japan Trade Surplus Below Estimates
Japan’s trade surplus increased to JPY 667.0 billion in March 2026 from JPY 529.8 billion in the same month a year earlier, marking a second straight month in surplus as export growth outpaced imports. However, the latest figure missed market expectations for a JPY 1,106 billion surplus. Exports rose 11.7% year-on-year to a record high of JPY 11,003.3 billion, beating forecasts of 11% and accelerating from February’s 4.0% gain. Growth was supported by strong demand from China, the EU, and ASEAN economies, alongside a modest rebound in shipments to the U.S. Meanwhile, imports increased 10.9% to JPY 10,336.3 billion, surpassing expectations of 7.1% and quickening from February’s 10.3% rise. This marked the fastest import growth since January 2025, underpinned by resilient domestic demand following Tokyo’s sizeable stimulus rollout in late 2025.
Published on 2026-04-22

Japan Unexpectedly Posts Trade Surplus
Japan’s trade surplus plunged to JPY 57.3 billion in February 2026 from JPY 559.2 billion a year earlier, as import growth outpaced exports. Still, the latest outcome defied market expectations of a JPY 483.2 billion deficit. Exports rose 4.2% year-on-year to JPY 9,571.6 billion, easing markedly from a 16.8% surge in January and marking the weakest growth since last October, amid softer demand from China and the U.S. Meanwhile, imports jumped 10.2% to JPY 9,514.3 billion, below forecasts of 11.5% but rebounding from a 2.6% decline in January. This was the fastest increase in shipments since July 2024, supported by firm domestic demand following Tokyo’s large stimulus package introduced in November.
Published on 2026-03-18

Japan Unexpectedly Posts Trade Surplus
Japan’s trade surplus plunged to JPY 57.3 billion in February 2026 from JPY 559.2 billion a year earlier, as import growth outpaced exports. Still, the latest outcome defied market expectations of a JPY 483.2 billion deficit. Exports rose 4.2% year-on-year to JPY 9,571.6 billion, easing markedly from a 16.8% surge in January and marking the weakest growth since last October, amid softer demand from China and the U.S. Meanwhile, imports jumped 10.2% to JPY 9,514.3 billion, below forecasts of 11.5% but rebounding from a 2.6% decline in January. This was the fastest increase in shipments since July 2024, supported by firm domestic demand following Tokyo’s large stimulus package introduced in November.
Published on 2026-03-18

Japan Unexpectedly Posts Trade Surplus
Japan’s trade surplus plunged to JPY 57.3 billion in February 2026 from JPY 559.2 billion a year earlier, as import growth outpaced exports. Still, the latest outcome defied market expectations of a JPY 483.2 billion deficit. Exports rose 4.2% year-on-year to JPY 9,571.6 billion, easing markedly from a 16.8% surge in January and marking the weakest growth since last October, amid softer demand from China and the U.S. Still, sales growth stretched into a sixth month, topping forecasts for a 1.6% rise. Meanwhile, imports jumped 10.2% to JPY 9,514.3 billion, below forecasts of 11.5% but rebounding from a 2.6% decline in January. This was the fastest increase in shipments since July 2024, supported by firm domestic demand following Tokyo’s large stimulus package introduced in November.
Published on 2026-03-18

Japan Unexpectedly Posts Trade Surplus
Japan’s trade surplus plunged to JPY 57.3 billion in February 2026 from JPY 559.2 billion a year earlier, defying market expectations of a JPY 483.2 billion deficit, as import growth outpaced exports. Sales rose 4.2% year-on-year to JPY 9,571.6 billion, easing markedly from a 16.8% surge in January and marking the weakest growth since last October, amid softer demand from China and the U.S. Meanwhile, imports jumped 10.2% to JPY 9,514.3 billion, below forecasts of 11.5% but rebounding from a 2.6% decline in January. This was the fastest increase in shipments since July 2024, supported by firm domestic demand following Tokyo’s large stimulus package introduced in November.
Published on 2026-03-18

Japan Trade Deficit Narrows Sharply
Japan’s trade deficit decreased significantly to JPY 1,152.7 billion in January 2026 from JPY 2,741.7 billion in the same month a year earlier, beating market expectations for a JPY 2,142.1 billion shortfall, as exports jumped while imports declined. Year-on-year, exports surged 16.8% to JPY 9,187.5 billion, sharply accelerating from a 5.1% growth in December and marking the fastest rise since November 2022, buoyed by strong demand from China and other Asian markets ahead of the Lunar New Year. Meanwhile, imports dropped 2.5% to JPY 10,340.2 billion, missing estimates of a 3% increase and reversing a 5.2% growth in December. It also marked the first drop in purchases since last August, despite Tokyo’s massive stimulus package launched in November, the first under the Takaichi administration.
Published on 2026-02-18

Japan Trade Deficit Narrows Sharply
Japan’s trade deficit decreased significantly to JPY 1,152.7 billion in January 2026 from JPY 2,741.7 billion in the same month a year earlier, beating market expectations for a JPY 2,142.1 billion shortfall, as exports jumped while imports declined. Year-on-year, exports surged 16.8% to JPY 9,187.5 billion, sharply accelerating from a 5.1% growth in December and marking the fastest rise since November 2022, buoyed by strong foreign demand at the start of a new year. Meanwhile, imports dropped 2.5% to JPY 10,340.2 billion, missing estimates of a 3% increase and reversing a 5.2% growth in December.
Published on 2026-02-18

Japan Trade Deficit Narrows Sharply
Japan’s trade deficit decreased significantly to JPY 1,152.7 billion in January 2026 from JPY 2,741.7 billion in the same month a year earlier, beating market expectations for a JPY 2,142.1 billion shortfall, as exports jumped while imports declined. Year-on-year, exports surged 16.8% to JPY 9,187.5 billion, sharply accelerating from a 5.1% growth in December and marking the fastest rise since November 2022, buoyed by strong demand from China and other Asian markets ahead of the Lunar New Year. Meanwhile, imports dropped 2.5% to JPY 10,340.2 billion, missing estimates of a 3% increase and reversing a 5.2% growth in December.
Published on 2026-02-18