Japan reported a trade deficit of JPY 668.26 billion in February 202, compared with market consensus of a gap of JPY 112.6 billion and a surplus of JPY 175.93 billion in the same month a year earlier. The latest figure marked the seventh straight month of trade shortfall, as exports grew by 19.1% yoy to JPY 7,190.1 billion while imports jumped 34.0% to JPY 7,858.3 billion. Considering the first two month of the year, Japan posted a trade deficit of JPY 2,861.8 billion, soaring from a shortfall of JPY 151.2 in the corresponding period of 2021. Last year, the trade gap was at JPY 1,472.16 billion as exports expanded 21.5 percent and imports advanced at a faster 24.3 percent, compared with a surplus of JPY 388.29 billion in 2020.
