Japan posts $1.97b trade deficit in September ’24

Japan’s trade deficit recorded 294.3 billion yen ($1.97 billion) in September 2024, reversing from a surplus of 60.5 billion yen in the same period last year, as per a report from the Ministry of Finance on Thursday.

Exports decreased by 1.7 per cent to 9.04 trillion yen, with automobiles, mineral fuels, and construction and mining machinery experiencing significant declines. However, exports of semiconductor manufacturing equipment rose 26.3 per cent.

Imports increased by 2.1 per cent to 9.33 trillion yen, marking six consecutive months of growth. Computers and peripheral devices saw a particularly strong increase of 35.6 per cent.

Attribution: Japanese Ministry of Finance report

Subediting: M. S. Salama