Japan posts Y53.4 bil trade deficit in April

Exports rose 8% year-on-year to 6.55 trillion yen ($53.9 billion) while imports dropped 4.2% to 6.6 trillion yen ($54.3 billion).

In actual volume terms increased by 1.8%, while the domestic economy, which is 60% of the economy shrank by 1% in the same time period.

ummmmm.

Strong demand for machinery and cars pushed exports to the U.S., Japan’s biggest market, up 21% from a year earlier to 1.36 trillion yen ($11.2 billion).

As goes the U.S., so goes Japan. But let's keep cutting off our nose to spite our face by opposing TPP so the farmers wil be happy, right?

@jerseyboy yep lets keep supporting 1% even though the average family struggles to put food (expensive J food) on the table. the brainwashing in this country is rampant, just sad that the average japanese just cant or wont see the fact that theyre supporting a welfare industry that is contributing to there daily struggles

Meanwhile the LDP government is giving/lending billions of dollars for projects all over the world. Also,the Japanese are steadily falling into poverty. Witness the large numbers of Japanese prostitutes on the streets these days????

Exports rose 8% year-on-year to 6.55 trillion yen ($53.9 billion)

That's in value terms only... which is falsely inflated due to the weak yen. In volume terms, the rise was probably much smaller or insignificant. Again, when you have a cheap currency, it's not surprising that the value of exports will increase because the value of exported goods to the US and other countries will be inflated when converted to the local currency. What's more important is the volume of exports because that represents a true increase in demand, which Japan Today did not report.

“Overall, therefore, the trade balance will likely remain in the red in coming months,” he said.

Does it mean 'Abenomics' remain ineffective?

Exports rose 8% year-on-year

The 8% gain in exports contrasts with expectations for a 6.5% increase. This unexpected rise has pushed the Nikkei up 145 points so far today for a new 15-year high.

kurisupisu:

Witness the large numbers of Japanese prostitutes on the streets these days????

Man, what part of the country are YOU in? Maybe I don't spend enough time in the mainland but I'd be surprised to see streetwalkers anywhere outside of Roppongi/Kabukicho...and a few areas in Osaka and Sapporo who's names escape me...

In April, exports rose 8% year-on-year to 6.55 trillion yen ($53.9 billion) while imports dropped 4.2% to 6.6 trillion yen ($54.3 billion).

Just don't convert that numbers into US dollar or Chinese Yuan Renminbi. Otherwise, it can be depressing for yen's value depreciated about 20% in that one year. And thank the Saudis for keeping the oil price low, controlling the US fracking.

@WesternerJapan87

That's in value terms only... which is falsely inflated due to the weak yen. In volume terms, the rise was probably much smaller or insignificant.

Thanks for pointing out this point. People need to be aware since there are lies, d@*% lies and statistics.

Most posters here haven't matured out of the "angsty teenager" stage. All I hear is a bunch of crybabies whining about about Japan being broke, rich people being to blame for everything, and third-world China being the future.

A heartfelt thanks should go to the House of Saud. Without oil price having fallen 50%, Japan Inc would have drowned in red ink already. Reality check.

I'm in Kobe and a few years ago there was a street protest against the red light business- that is how bad it is! Now with the economic situation even worse I can bear witness to the multitude of women out there As the last trains come and go the prostitutes are out in force It is said that 30% of of single women are living in poverty and need to find other income And the women we can see on the streets are nothing compared to the number working on outcall and in bars.

@jerseyboy yep lets keep supporting 1% even though the average family struggles to put food (expensive J food) on the table. the brainwashing in this country is rampant, just sad that the average japanese just cant or wont see the fact that theyre supporting a welfare industry that is contributing to there daily struggles.

wtfjapan -- exactly. I mean why wouldn't folks prefer a system that created butter shortages over New Years, versus one that would allow them to have plentiful varieties of relatively cheap imports? And if they stick with the Japanese product, fine, but at least they have a choice.

why wouldn't folks prefer a system that created butter shortages over New Years, versus one that would allow them to have plentiful varieties of relatively cheap imports?

Because it's a race to the bottom.

I understand Jerseyboy's logic, if the cheap and low quality products are American is okay, if they are Chinese, well it's a problem...

I understand Jerseyboy's logic, if the cheap and low quality products are American is okay, if they are Chinese, well it's a problem...

Alex, with both know that is not my "logic". First off, as I have made it abundantly clear, I am for free trade. So if China has a product that is a better value, when considering price and quality, than the U.S., Japanese consumers should buy it. Second, as you should know, I doubt the U.S agricultural community has much to be concerned about with regards to Chinese products. China is a HUGE importer of U.S. food products, and, as evidenced by scandals like the one involving dairy products/baby formula, China's food safety is highly suspect. But, once again, thanks for the laugh.

Jerseyboy, you are not for free trade, you simply support flood of cheap and low quality food made by corporate giants able to destroy local small business that produce actual healthy food.

Jerseyboy, you are not for free trade, you simply support flood of cheap and low quality food made by corporate giants able to destroy local small business that produce actual healthy food.

Alex -- thanks for telling me what my opinion is. But, please, enlighten me, what exactly is "healthy" about Japanese white rice? We both know it is not cheap -- 800% of world market price. So therefore it MUST have some nutritional value that cheaper imports would not have. Otherwise, you post is simple nonsense.

Japanese rice tends to glow at night....

Great post, What's more important is the volume of exports because that represents a true increase in demand, which Japan Today did not report.

<Budgro.in>

@WesternerJapan87

That's in value terms only... which is falsely inflated due to the weak yen. In volume terms, the rise was probably much smaller or insignificant.

Thumbs down notwithstanding it is a good point made. There are some other good comments here too.