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$$$,M$J$$$]