Japan: Merchandise trade deficit narrows in March
Yen-denominated merchandise exports jumped 14.7% on an annual basis in March, following February’s 19.1% upturn. Meanwhile, merchandise imports soared 31.2% in annual terms in March (February: +34.1% yoy).
As a result, the merchandise trade balance improved from the previous month, recording a JPY 0.4 trillion deficit in March (February 2022: JPY 0.7 trillion deficit; March 2021: JPY 0.6 trillion surplus). Nevertheless, the trend deteriorated, with the 12-month trailing merchandise trade balance recording a JPY 5.4 trillion deficit in March, compared to the JPY 4.4 trillion shortfall in January.