Japan Records Bigger Exports and Imports in April, Despite Oil Supply Concerns
Exports to the United States and China rose, while a 64% plunge in crude oil imports helped Japan post a 301.9 billion yen trade surplus.
- On Thursday, Finance Ministry data showed Japan's exports climbed 14.8% in April, marking an eighth straight month of growth and yielding a trade surplus of 301.9 billion yen .
- Shipments of semiconductors surged nearly 42% by value, driving the export surge, even as the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz constrained oil supplies.
- Business surveys released Thursday indicate economic strain, with the Japan Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index falling to 51.1 in May and the services sector PMI stagnating at 50.0, ending 13 months of growth.
- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has ordered the release of national oil reserves to offset supply shortfalls, while the weak yen continues to push up imported inflation and weaken purchasing power.
- S&P Global Market Intelligence economics associate director Annabel Fiddes warned, "If cost pressures continue to mount and demand softens, business confidence and the broader economy could come under greater strain in the months ahead.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Japan Economic Update: Exports drive surprise trade surplus;core order
Japan reported a trade surplus of JPY 301.9 billion in April 2026, compared to a deficit of JPY 149.5 billion in April 2025, significantly exceeding expectations for a JPY 29.7 billion deficit. This surplus is the largest since November, with exports
Associated Press News
Japan records bigger exports and imports in April, despite oil supply concerns
Japan has reported its exports soared nearly 15% in April from a year earlier as its trade remained robust despite worries over supplies of oil and gas due to the war in Iran.
External sales advanced 14.8% in the annual comparison; total imports increased 9.7%
Japan April exports rise 14.8% year/year despite Middle East conflict
May 21 (Reuters) – Japanese exports rose for an eighth straight month in April, government data showed on Thursday, reflecting resilient global demand despite major supply disruptions caused by the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. The outcome follows separate data on Tuesday showing Japan’s economy grew at a faster-than-expected annualised pace of 2.1% in the first quarter of 2026, driven by solid exports and consumption, though the momentum is lik…
Japan's oil imports from Middle East hit record low
Japan’s crude oil imports from the Middle East plunged by more than 67 percent in April compared with the same period last year, marking the lowest monthly level on record, government data released on Thursday showed amid severe supply disruptions linked to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, News.Az reports, citing Kyodo. Japan, which traditionally depends on the Middle East for more than 90 percent of its crude oil imports, brought …
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