Japan Runs Record Trade Deficit of 7.6 T. Yen in Jan.-June

Tokyo, July 24 (Jiji Press)--Japan logged a customs-cleared trade deficit of 7,598.4 billion yen in January-June, a record deficit for the six-month period, the Ministry of Finance said Thursday. The result compared with a deficit of 4,812.5 billion yen a year before. In the first half of 2014, Japan's exports rose 3.2 pct from a year before to 35,049.8 billion yen, and imports grew 10.0 pct to a record 42,648.2 billion yen, the ministry said in a preliminary report. Japan's trade deficit with mainland China hit a record 2,921.1 billion yen. In June alone, Japan posted a trade deficit of 822.2 billion yen, suffering red ink for the 24th month in a row. The figure was worse than the median forecast of 693.9 billion yen in deficit among 23 research institutes surveyed by Jiji Press. Exports fell 2.0 pct from a year before to 5,939.6 billion yen, and imports grew 8.4 pct to 6,761.9 billion yen. In trade with the United States, Japan's surplus shrank 11.9 pct to 477.8 billion yen. Exports were down 2.2 pct, while imports were up 6.8 pct. In trade with mainland China, Japan posted a deficit of 372 billion yen, compared with 248.2 billion yen in deficit. Exports rose 1.5 pct, and imports were up 10.5 pct. END