Japan posted a trade deficit of JPY 967 billion in May 2019 compared with a JPY 577 billion shortfall in the same month a year earlier. Exports fell 7.8% from a year earlier to JPY 5.84 trillion in May 2019, and after a after a 2.4% fall in April. It was the sixth straight month of falls in shipments, amid weakening global demand and the US-China trade dispute. Imports declined 1.5% year-on-year to JPY 6.80 trillion in May 2019, and following a 6.4 percent rise in the previous month.
