Japan Trade balance (July): ¥ 418.8 B

  • expected Y 327.1bn, prior was Y 439.8bn

Trade balance (adjusted): ¥ 337.4B

  • expected Y 195.3bn, prior was Y 81.4bn

Exports y/y: +13.4% ... beat

  • expected +13.2%, prior was +9.7% - exports have been strong for Japan, helping to support economic recovery

Imports y/y: +16.3% ... miss

  • expected +17.%, prior was +15.5%

More:

Japan's exports to the US +11.5% y/y (June was +7.1% y/y)

  • To China +17.6% y/y (prior +19.5%)
  • To Asia +14.8% y/y (prior +13.6%)

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The data is also being viewed as confirmation of strong global demand, ot only underpinning Japanese exports but economies in other exporters.