Japan's trade deficit widened in June as persistent weak-yen pressures and elevated oil prices drove import growth past a stronger increase in exports, according to data from the Ministry of Finance on Wednesday.
The trade deficit expanded to 406.9 billion yen from the revised deficit of 391.8 billion yen recorded in May. The latest figure was worse than the 120 billion yen consensus deficit forecast tracked by Investing.com, and reversed the 122.3 billion yen surplus recorded in June 2025.
Exports jumped 19.3% to 10.929 trillion yen, faster than the forecast of 18.6% and the revised 16.8% figure in the previous month.
Transport equipment exports grew 14% year over year, while electrical machinery exports expanded 29%, led by a 59% rise in integrated circuit exports and a 54% surge in semiconductor exports.
Machinery exports increased 11%, led by semiconductor machinery, which jumped 19%.
Imports surged 25.4% to 11.336 trillion yen during the month, accelerating from the 21% forecast and the month-ago increase of 12.5%.
Mineral fuel imports led with a 42% increase. Fuel imports from the U.S. soared 258%, while imports from the Middle East slipped 2.5%.
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