Free Trial

MNI DATA IMPACT: Japan May Exports -7.8% Y/Y; Imports -1.5% YY

MNI (London)
     TOKYO (MNI) - Japan's exports and imports both fell in May, weighed by
growing uncertainties in the global environment and sluggish domestic demand,
data released Wednesday by the Ministry of Finance showed.
     The key points from the data:
     --Japan's exports dipped further, falling 7.8% year-on-year in May after
April's 2.4% fall, marking the sixth straight monthly fall. The drop was
marginally better than MNI's median economist forecast, which projected an 8.1%
decrease.
     --Imports fell 1.5% year-on-year in May, sharply down from the 6.4% gain
reported in April, ending the recovery trend seen in the previous months. The
rise missed MNI's median of 1.5% growth. 
     --With imports outpacing exports in value terms, May's trade balance showed
a deficit of Y967.1 billion, far below the Y60.4 billion surplus recorded in
April. The balance came in better than an MNI median deficit of Y1.14 trillion.
     --Exports to China and the European Union slumped 9.7% and 7.1%
respectively, compared with last month's 6.3% and 2.6% falls. Exports to the
U.S. increased 3.3%, slower than 9.6% growth reported in April.  
     --Imports from China and the U.S. fell 0.9% and 1.6% in May from 5.9% and
2.3% gains previously. However, imports from EU continued growing strongly -- up
8.7% in May, after 10.6% in April.
--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$$$]
MNI London Bureau | +44 203-865-3812 | les.commons@marketnews.com

To read the full story

Close

Why MNI

MNI is the leading provider

of intelligence and analysis on the Global Fixed Income, Foreign Exchange and Energy markets. We use an innovative combination of real-time analysis, deep fundamental research and journalism to provide unique and actionable insights for traders and investors. Our "All signal, no noise" approach drives an intelligence service that is succinct and timely, which is highly regarded by our time constrained client base.

Our Head Office is in London with offices in Chicago, Washington and Beijing, as well as an on the ground presence in other major financial centres across the world.