MNI DATA IMPACT: Japan Oct Exports -9.2%, Imports -14.8% y/y

     TOKYO (MNI) - Japan's exports and imports both dipped further in October as

the economy continues to slow, data released Wednesday by the Ministry of

Finance showed.

     The key points from the data:

     --Japan's exports fell 9.2% y/y in October, following the previous 5.2% y/y

drop, marking a fifth straight monthly fall. The decrease was greater than that

forecast by the MNI median, which projected a 7.5% y/y drop.

     --Imports plunged 14.8% y/y in October, after the 1.5% y/y fall in

September, dragged lower by shrinking domestic demand. MNI's survey pointed to a

16.9% y/y fall. 

     --October's trade surplus stood at Y17.27 billion, compared with last

month's 123.0 deficit but far below the expected Y335.1 billion projected by

MNI.

     --Exports to the top trade partners all fell -- dropping 10.3% to China,

11.4% to the United States and 8.4% to the European Union. Last month's fall

were -0.4%, -6.7% and -7.9 respectively.

     --Imports from China, US and EU all tumbled, down by -15.4%, -17.2% and

-10.8% respectively, following falls of 1.0%, 11.5% and 13.2% in the previous

month.

--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$$$]