Japan’s Weak Exports May Balance With Stronger Yen – 17 April, 2018

Japan’s expected increase in exports was not on par as sales in the U.S. and Europe were nearly flat. The forecasted exports were set at +5.2% but landed lower than half of that at 2.1%. Imports fell by 0.6 percent with a 17% slump in Chinese shipments. A stronger yen in the coming months should help shrink the trade balance while rising oil prices push imports.