|
For
the full year, Japan logged a 2.65 trillion yen ($17 billion)
trade deficit, the Finance Ministry reported in its preliminary
data.
That was nearly 53% smaller than the deficit Japan marked the
previous year. Exports for the year rose 3.1%, while imports
remained about the same on-year, gaining less than 1%.
For the month of December, Japan recorded a 105.7 billion yen
($669 million) trade surplus.
The monthly surplus was 12% smaller than what was racked up a
year ago. Imports grew 5.3% from the same month a year ago,
while exports grew 5.1%.
By nation, exports to the U.S. declined 11% in December, while
exports to Britain, Africa and some other Asian countries rose.
Imports from Europe were strong.
The United States has imposed a 15% tariff on most imports from
Japan, a reduction from the 25% that Trump initially proposed
but an increase from before he took office a year ago.
Another looming concern is the impact on Japanese manufacturing,
including automakers, from China’s curbs on exports of rare
earths.
The controls were announced by Beijing after Prime Minister
Sanae Takaichi suggested a Chinese move on Taiwan could prompt a
Japanese military response.
Takaichi has called a snap elections for next month in hopes her
party can gain strength in Parliament while she is popular with
the public.
Overall, Japan’s economy has held up, despite grumbling from the
public about rising prices and stagnant wages. The benchmark
Nikkei on the Tokyo Stock Exchange keeps hitting new records.
All contents © copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved
|
|
