Japan's trade deficit soars on costly fuels, slowing exports

Murky economy saps shipments to U.S., China, Europe

20230316N Japan trade

A slowing global economy exacerbated Japan's trade deficit.(Photo by Hiromasa Matsuura) 

KOHEI SAKAI, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- Japan ran a trade deficit of 898 billion yen ($6.75 billion) in February, a 19th consecutive monthly shortfall, weighed down by expensive fuel imports and a slowing global economy.

The statistics released Thursday show the biggest deficit for the month of February since 1979, the first year for which such data is available.

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