MNI 5 THINGS: Japan Jan Exports Weaken, Deficit Widens

--Japan Jan Exports -8.4% Y/Y Vs -3.9% In December

--Japan Jan Imports -0.6% Y/Y Vs +1.9% In December

--Japan Jan Deficit Y1.42 trn Vs Y56.74 bln In December

     TOKYO (MNI) - Japanese exports and imports both both dipped further in

January, reflecting sluggish global demand, data released Wednesday by the

Ministry of Finance showed.

     The key points from the data:

     --Japanese exports fell further in January, down 8.4% on year compared to

the 3.9% decrease seen in December. They posted a second straight monthly fall,

coming in below an MNI median economist forecast for a 6.1% drop.

     --Imports decreased by 0.6% on year in January, below December's 1.9% fall

but beating MNI's median of a 4.2% decline. It was the first year-on-year drop

in 10 months.

     --January's trade deficit, driven by lower exports, expanded to Y1.42

trillion from Y56.74 billion in the previous month.

     --Exports to the European Union fell 2.5%(+3.9% in December), and those to

China even dipped faster, down 17.4% in January (-7.0% in December). However,

exports to the U.S. reported a sharp increase, up 6.8% in January compared to

December's 1.6% gain. 

     --Imports from the U.S. slowed to 7.7% in January from the 23.9% recorded

in December. Imports from the EU fell by 2.8% (+2.0% in December). Imports from

China rebounded to 5.6% in January from December's -6.4% drop. 

--MNI Beijing Bureau; tel: +86 (10) 8532-5998; email: flora.guo@marketnews.com

--MNI London Bureau; tel: +44 203-586-2225; email: les.commons@marketnews.com

[TOPICS: MAJDS$,MAUDR$,MAUDS$,M$A$$$,M$J$$$,M$U$$$]