Japan's Trade Deficit Narrows 70 Pct in Oct.

   Tokyo, Nov. 16 (Jiji Press)--Japan's trade deficit narrowed 70 pct in October from a year before as exports rose, led by automobiles, and imports fell due to falling commodities prices, the Finance Ministry said Thursday.
   The country posted a customs-cleared trade deficit of 662.5 billion yen for October, smaller than the year-before deficit of 2,205.9 billion yen, the ministry said in a preliminary report.
   Exports rose 1.6 pct from a year before to 9,147.1 billion yen, the second-highest level on record dating back to 1979, as increased chip supply drove automobile exports higher.
   Imports declined 12.5 pct to 9,809.6 billion yen, led by a 16.8 pct decrease in crude oil and a 37.6 pct decline in liquefied natural gas, as commodities prices dropped.
   Japan posted a surplus of 915.2 billion yen in trade with the United States and a deficit of 674.3 billion yen with China.

(2023/11/16-10:59)

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