Japan's July trade weaker, exports to China gain

Japan’s exports in July fell by 19.2 percent from a year ago, as the coronavirus pandemic continues to slam the world’s third largest economy.

The Finance Ministry’s provisional numbers showed Japan’s imports in July fell by 22.3 percent.

Exports to the U.S. especially suffered, declining 19.5 percent last month. They include plastic goods, iron and steel and computer parts. But Japan recorded its first trade surplus in four months on the back of a recovery in China.

Exports to China logged an 8.2 percent increase thanks to demand for nonferrous metals, semiconductor machinery and motor vehicles, NHK reports.

Japan’s exports in June plunged by 26.2 percent. Imports fell by 14.4 percent in the year to June.

Japan’s export-reliant economy has been ailing since the outbreak caused some plant production to be temporarily halted, squelched tourism and generally hurt economic activity.

Japan has had about 1,100 confirmed deaths among 57,636 cases. Worries are growing over a recent surge in infection, especially in Tokyo and other urban areas.-AP/NHK