Japan Handelsbilanzsaldo

Japan’s trade balance shifted to a surplus of JPY 584.5 billion in February 2025 from a deficit of JPY 415.43 billion in the same month a year earlier. However, this figure fell short of market expectations for a JPY 722.8 billion surplus. The reversal was primarily driven by a surge in exports, which increased by 11.4% yoy to JPY 9,191.14 billion, the fastest growth since May 2024, though slightly below the forecasted 12.1%. In contrast, imports dropped by 0.7% to JPY 8,606.63 billion, missing the estimated increase of 0.1% and marking the first contraction since November. This decline followed a robust 16.2% jump in January, the strongest increase in nearly two years. In 2024, Japan recorded a trade deficit of JPY 5,332.56 billion, significantly narrower than the JPY 9,522.07 billion shortfall in the previous year.