The Japanese trade balance info is unlikely to be much of a yen mover, but its useful info on the economy nonetheless

Earlier I posted the expected etc.:

  • Trade balance: expected Y -483.2bn, prior was Y -231.9bn
  • Trade balance (adjusted): expected Y -144.1bn, prior was Y -45.6bn
  • Exports y/y: expected 5.2%, prior was 3.9%
  • Imports y/y: expected 14.5%, prior was 14.6%

Exports are expected to have held in there despite rising trade tensions. Global growth is helping Japan Inc. along with this. Concerns ahead include slowing demand in China (the Chinese economy is showing some signs of a slight slowing even before the impact of likely reduced exports) which will weigh on Japanese exports. You will have seen from the spate of headlines yesterday Japanese officials are trying to calm down the escalating trade war, even though the war is not (so far) directed at Japan a slowing in China is not good news.

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Japan data is due at 2350GMT and the BOJ is later in the session: