Japan Logs Trade Deficit of 2.6 T. Yen in 2025

Tokyo, Jan. 22 (Jiji Press)–Japan posted a customs-cleared trade deficit of 2,650.7 billion yen in 2025, marking the fifth consecutive year of red ink, preliminary data from the Finance Ministry showed Thursday. Still, the deficit plunged 52.9 pct from the previous year. Exports rose 3.1 pct to a record high of 110,448 billion yen, driven by increased shipments of semiconductors and other electronic components. Exports of foodstuffs also grew. However, shipments to the United States fell 4.1 pct to 20,414 billion yen, down for the first time in five years. The decline is believed to reflect the impact of the United States’ high tariff policy. Japan’s overall imports inched up 0.3 pct to 113,098.7 billion yen. While purchases of personal computers and smartphones from China increased, crude oil imports fell 11.5 pct, down for the third consecutive year. In trade with the United States, Japan logged a surplus of 7,521.4 billion yen, though the surplus shrank for the second straight year. U.S.-bound exports of automobiles dropped 11.4 pct to 5,340.9 billion yen in value and edged down 1.1 pct in volume. The United States imposed additional tariffs on imported cars in April 2025, but the tax rate was lowered in September that year following a Japan-U.S. agreement. Meanwhile, Japan’s trade deficit with China widened to 7,914.7 billion yen, marking the first increase in two years. In December alone, Japan logged a trade surplus of 105.7 billion yen. Exports totaled 10,411.5 billion yen, a record high for the month, surpassing 10 trillion yen for the first time, reflecting increased shipments to other Asian countries excluding China. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]