Overview
- The Finance Ministry’s preliminary November data show exports to the United States increased 8.8% year on year to ¥1.8169 trillion, the first growth after eight months of declines.
- Automobile exports to the United States rose 1.5% by value, with shipment volumes up 7.7% and back in positive territory for the first time in months.
- The US tariff on Japanese autos was reduced in September to 15% from 27.5%, and Japanese media say the impact of earlier high tariffs has eased.
- Pharmaceuticals and mineral fuels led export gains to the United States, while semiconductor manufacturing equipment fell 28.5%.
- Imports from the United States rose 7.1% to ¥1.0771 trillion, and for all partners Japan’s exports grew 6.1% and imports 1.3%, lifting the trade surplus 11.3% to ¥739.8 billion.