Japan returns to trade surplus in September, exports fall less than market consensus

Trade balance in Japan posted a surplus during the month of September, with exports declining for the 12th consecutive month albeit at a much slower rate than expected.

Japan’s merchandise trade surplus rose to JPY498.3 billion in September following a deficit of JPY18.7 billion in August. A median estimate of economists called for a surplus of JPY341.8 billion, data released by the Ministry of Finance (MoF) showed Monday.

Japan’s exports declined 6.9 percent in the 12 months through September, following August’s 9.6 percent drop. A median estimate of economists called for a decline of 10.4 percent. Imports plunged at an annualized 16.3 percent; they fell 17.3 percent year-over-year in August.

Further, in seasonally adjusted terms, Japan’s surplus widened to JPY349 billion in September, official data showed. Also, the MoF reported that the value of exports to the US fell by 8.7 percent over the year, mirroring a similar decline in exports to Asia which slid by 8.4 percent.

The value of exports to China, Japan’s largest trade partner fell by a larger 10.6 percent, while those to the European Union rose by 0.3 percent.

Meanwhile, later this week, the Japanese government will release fresh inflation data for the months of September and October. Separate government reports will also unveil the latest employment and household spending figures.