Japan’s Exports Rise for Fourth Straight Month on Strong China Demand

Japan’s exports rise for the fourth consecutive month, spurred by a weakening yen and robust demand from China, despite weaker domestic consumption. According to a report from the Finance Ministry, exports increased by 7.3% in March year-over-year, a slight slowdown from February’s 7.8% growth. Economists had anticipated a 7% rise. Conversely, imports declined by 4.9%, which was close to the expected 5.1% fall.

The depreciating yen, which averaged 149.45 against the dollar compared to 134.97 the previous year, inflated the nominal value of exports, though the actual volume of exports fell by 2.1%. This discrepancy highlights the significant role of the yen’s value in enhancing export figures, with Mizuho Research & Technologies’ senior economist Yayoi Sakanaka noting that much of the growth could be attributed to currency effects rather than actual increases in export volumes. Despite this, there is potential for continued export growth due to the ongoing depreciation of the yen.

Significant growth was recorded in the automotive and semiconductor industries, with increases of 7.1% and 11.3% respectively in March. Regionally, China featured prominently with a 12.6% rise in exports, up from 2.5% the previous month, which contributed to China’s 5.3% GDP growth in the first quarter. However, growth in exports to the US and Europe was more uneven, at 8.5% and 3% respectively, indicating variability in global demand.

The Japanese currency has remained weak, trading near 34-year lows, which has drawn criticism from financial authorities concerned about excessive volatility. This situation underscores the complex dynamics at play, where currency values are boosting export figures while also presenting challenges for economic stability.

Overall, while Japan’s export sector shows signs of robustness primarily due to favorable currency trends and strong demand from China, the mixed results across different regions and industries suggest a nuanced picture of Japan’s trade environment. This scenario indicates that while the export-driven boost to the economy is welcome, reliance on such factors may pose risks if not managed carefully.