The trade balance data is here: Japan - Trade Balance for July: Y 418.8bn (expected Y 327.1bn)
Via Bloomberg ,the "Key Takeaways"
- July data offer an early look at how trade might affect the Japanese economy in the current quarter
- Exports had been fueling an expansion in recent quarters, but domestic demand drove growth in the three months through June,
- Domestic demand has been reflected in surging imports in recent months
- Price gains are still far short of the Bank of Japan's 2 percent goal.
And, via Reuters:
- Exports rose for an eighth straight month
- Driven by robust shipments to China and the United States
- The data underscores the Bank of Japan's view that the world's third-largest economy is showing increasing signs of strength as private consumption adds momentum to an export-reliant recovery.