Japan exports up for 2nd month on China-bound shipment growth

Overseas shipments grew 11.9% in January, while imports fell 9.6%

A container terminal in Tokyo: Japan's exports rose 11.9% on the year in January, buoyed by stronger shipments to China, the U.S. and the European Union. (Photo by Kei Higuchi)

CHIHIRO ISHIKAWA, Nikkei staff writer

February 21, 2024 09:05 JST

Updated on February 21, 2024 10:49 JST

TOKYO -- Japan's exports rose for the second straight month in January, pushed up by growth in China-bound shipments. The figures followed the recent release of preliminary gross domestic product data that showed the economy fell into a technical recession in the final quarter of 2023.

Overseas shipments rose 11.9%, year on year, according to preliminary data from the Ministry of Finance released Wednesday. Imports fell 9.6%, resulting in a monthly trade deficit of 1.758 trillion yen ($11.72 billion).