Japon Balance Commerciale

Japan’s trade surplus soared to JPY 130.94 billion in December 2024 from JPY 32.35 billion in the same month a year earlier, beating market estimates of a deficit of JPY 55 billion. It was the first trade gain since June, as exports grew faster than imports. Sales rose by 2.8% yoy to a record high of JPY 9,910.60 billion, topping consensus of a 2.3% growth and pointing to the third consecutive month of increase. Meanwhile, purchases grew by 1.8% to a five-month peak of JPY 9,779.67 billion, a reversal from a 3.8% drop in November but below forecasts of 2.3%. For the whole year, the country posted a trade shortfall of JPY 5,332.56 billion, much lower than a deficit of JPY 9,522.07 billion in 2023.