Kyodo News reported on May 14, 2026 that Japan unexpectedly posted a trade surplus of ¥301.9 billion (about US$2.7 billion) in April, reversing the deficit recorded in March. This marks the first positive trade balance for the country in three months.
The figure far exceeded economists’ forecasts, who had predicted a continued slight deficit. The main driver was an 8.5% year-on-year increase in exports, led by automobiles and machinery components.
Imports also rose 5.2% year-on-year, mainly due to higher prices of crude oil and liquefied natural gas. However, the slower pace of import growth compared to exports helped Japan achieve a surplus.
Japan’s Ministry of Finance also noted that the trade surplus with the United States fell 12% to ¥500 billion, as auto exports to the U.S. dipped slightly. Meanwhile, the trade deficit with China widened to ¥600 billion, reflecting a sharp rise in imports of electronics and components from China.
Analysts assess that the data indicates stable global demand for Japanese goods, despite ongoing uncertainties in the world economy.
