Japan recorded in August a trade deficit of 1.1 billion yen (more than 6 billion euros), according to figures published today, marking the fourth consecutive month in red due to the increase in oil prices.
© Lusa
16/09/2026
by
Lusa
Japan
Sin addition to the provisional data released by the Ministry of Finance, the negative balance almost quadrupled (276 %) compared to that recorded in the same period last year when a trade deficit of 294 billion yen (EUR 1.4 billion) was recorded.
Exports rose in August 19.3% in homologous terms, up to 10.05 billion yen (56.1 billion euros), in particular thanks to semiconductors (52.3%) and other electronic components.
In the meantime, imports have increased by 28%, up to 11.1 billion yen (EUR 62.3 billion), due to the growth of oil purchases (38.4%), amid the search for alternative raw materials after the US offensive against Iran.
By countries, Japan has registered with China, its largest trading partner despite tensions at the end of last year with regard to Taiwan, a deficit of 551.5 billion yen (EUR 3 billion) in that period, which represents 29.4% more in homologous terms.
With the United States, the first world economy and second trading partner, the Asian country achieved a surplus of 70.3 billion yen (393 million euros), less 77.6% than in August 2025.
With the European Union, the third trading partner, Japan recorded a deficit of 230.5 billion yen (EUR 1.2 billion), a growth of 76.7% annually.
With Brazil, it maintained the deficit of 54.6 billion yen (EUR 305 million) recorded in the same month of the previous year. For Chile, there was a negative balance of 16.4 billion yen (EUR 650 million), which represents an increase of 43.7%.
Japan achieved a surplus with Mexico worth 40.4 billion yen (225 million euros), although it was 22.4% lower than that of August 2025.