Japan recorded a trade deficit amounting to 378.6 billion Japanese yen during May, according to data released by the Japanese Ministry of Finance on Wednesday. Analysts had anticipated a larger deficit of 564.6 billion yen. This contrasts with a surplus
of 329.9 billion yen in April after revision, or 301.9 billion yen according to original figures. Japanese exports saw a 17% annual increase last month, surpassing analysts' expectations of 16.2%, and marking growth after a 14.8% increase in the preceding
April. Conversely, Japan's imports rose by 12.5% annually in May, while expectations pointed to a 12.8% increase, following a 9.8% rise in April according to revised data, or 9.7% based on preliminary figures.
