Japan Logs Trade Deficit of 461.2 B. Yen in Oct.

   Tokyo, Nov. 20 (Jiji Press)--Japan incurred a customs-cleared trade deficit of 461.2 billion yen in October, against the year-before deficit of 702.9 billion yen, the Finance Ministry said in a preliminary report Wednesday.
   While Japan's exports hit a record high for October, imports of personal computers and other products increased, resulting in a trade deficit for the fourth consecutive month.
   Exports grew 3.1 pct from a year before to 9,426.7 billion yen. Exports of semiconductor manufacturing equipment rose over 40 pct, led by strong demand from China. Exports of pharmaceuticals, and scientific and optical equipment also increased.
   Imports edged up 0.4 pct to 9,887.9 billion yen, up for the seventh straight month, partly reflecting a rise in PC and smartphone imports from China.
   Crude oil imports plunged 14.2 pct to 871.5 billion yen due to a 15.4 pct fall in prices, although imports grew in volume for the first time in 21 months.

(2024/11/20-13:30)