Japan trade balance for October Y -67.4bn

  • expected Y -310bn, prior Y -624bn

Trade balance adjusted Y -445bn

  • expected Y -446bn, prior Y -625bn

Exports 9.4% y/y

  • expected 9.9% y/y, prior 13%

Imports 26.7% y/y

  • expected 31.9% y/y, prior 38.6%

Exports to:

  • China +9.5% y/y
  • Asia +15% y/y
  • the US +0.4% y/y

Exports and imports both miss in the month. Auto exports suffered due to the well-known supply constraints.

Expectations are that Japan's economic performance will improve for the rest of Q4 as it emerges from coronavirus restrictions.