Preliminary statistics released by Japan's Ministry of Finance on the 22nd show that Japan's trade deficit reached 1.01 trillion yen in the first half of 2026, showing a trade deficit for the 10th consecutive year. Data show that in the first half of this year, Japan's exports of goods increased 13.7% year on year to 60.66 trillion yen; imports increased 10.7% year on year to 61.68 trillion yen. Imports and exports of electronic components such as semiconductors have all increased dramatically, which is the main driving force for the increase in imports and exports. In addition, export growth is also driven by increased exports of commodities such as automobiles; import growth is also affected by increased imports of non-ferrous metals and other commodities. From a regional perspective, Japan reduced oil imports from the Middle East, but Japan's imports of crude oil and petroleum products from the US surged by 355.4% and 210.0%, respectively. According to data released on the same day, Japan's trade deficit in June was 406.9 billion yen due to Japan's continuing high crude oil import costs.

Preliminary statistics released by Japan's Ministry of Finance on the 22nd show that Japan's trade deficit reached 1.01 trillion yen in the first half of 2026, showing a trade deficit for the 10th consecutive year. Data show that in the first half of this year, Japan's exports of goods increased 13.7% year on year to 60.66 trillion yen; imports increased 10.7% year on year to 61.68 trillion yen. Imports and exports of electronic components such as semiconductors have all increased dramatically, which is the main driving force for the increase in imports and exports. In addition, export growth is also driven by increased exports of commodities such as automobiles; import growth is also affected by increased imports of non-ferrous metals and other commodities. From a regional perspective, Japan reduced oil imports from the Middle East, but Japan's imports of crude oil and petroleum products from the US surged by 355.4% and 210.0%, respectively. According to data released on the same day, Japan's trade deficit in June was 406.9 billion yen due to Japan's continuing high crude oil import costs.