Japan records $2.36 billion trade surplus in August

Tokyo, Sep 16 (EFE).- Japan recorded a trade surplus of 248.3 billion yen ($2.36 billion) in August, the Japanese government announced on Wednesday.

The figure is 22 times the positive balance recorded in July and contrasts with the trade deficit of 152.21 billion yen registered in August 2019, according to data published by the finance ministry.

Japanese exports decreased by 14.8 percent year-on-year in August to 5.23 trillion yen while imports fell by 20.8 percent to 4.98 trillion yen.

With China, its largest trading partner, Japan recorded a trade deficit of 57.6 billion yen, which is 73.7 percent less than the negative balance recorded a year ago.

With the world’s largest economy and its second trading partner, the United States, the Asian country achieved a surplus of 373.11 billion yen, a year-on-year decline of 20.3 percent.

With the European Union, its third biggest trading partner, Japan recorded a deficit of 81.06 billion yen, a decline of 35.6 percent compared to August 2019.

Japan widened its deficit with Brazil by 10.3 percent in the eight month of the year to 41.93 billion yen while the Asian country’s negative balance of trade with Chile increased by 24.2 percent to 48.27 billion yen.

In contrast, Japan recorded a surplus of 24.39 billion yen with Mexico in August, 40.4 percent less than a year earlier. EFE

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