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MNI 5 THINGS: Japan Aug Exports Up, Trade in Deficit on Energy

     TOKYO (MNI) - Japanese exports posted the 21st straight year-on-year rise
in August, indicating global demand for Japanese goods remained solid despite
the U.S.-China Trade dispute, trade statistics released Wednesday by the
Ministry of Finance showed.
     The key points from the data:
     * Japanese exports rose 6.6% on year in August, coming in stronger than the
MNI median economist forecast for a 5.7% rise. It was the 21st straight
year-on-year rise. The pace of increase accelerated from +3.9% in July.
     * The increase was led by higher shipments of chip-making equipment, motor
vehicles and ships.
     * Exports to the U.S. marked the first rise in three months while those to
the European Union posted the 19th straight year-on-year increase. Exports to
Asia and China showed the sixth straight y/y gains.
     * Imports rose 15.4% on year in August, largely in line with the MNI median
forecast of +15.8%. It was the fifth straight year-on-year rise after +14.6% in
July, led by higher energy prices.
     * The August trade balance came to a deficit of Y444.6 billion, narrower
than the MNI median forecast for a Y531.0 billion deficit. It was the second
straight shortfall after a deficit of Y231.9 billion in July.
--MNI Tokyo Bureau; tel: +81 90-2175-0040; email: hiroshi.inoue@marketnews.com
--MNI Tokyo Bureau; tel: +81 90-4670-5309; email: max.sato@marketnews.com
[TOPICS: MAJDS$,M$A$$$,M$J$$$]

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