Japan’s Ministry of Finance recorded a record level of difference between imports and exports in January, the NHK television channel reports on March 8.
According to the agency, the current account deficit almost reached 1.97 trillion yen (1.08 trillion rubles). This corresponds to the maximum in the entire history of recording such data, which began in 1985.
In the last two months of 2022, the Ministry of Finance registered a positive balance. However, rising energy prices and declining exports to China amid the Chinese New Year celebrations have brought about a drastic change in the situation.
The deficit was 3.4 times higher than in January 2022. This indicator, in addition to direct sales of goods, includes dividend payments and interest income from international investments.
The largest contribution—some $23 billion (1.7 trillion rubles)—to the deficit was made by energy prices, including prices of liquefied natural gas, coal, and crude oil. On the other hand, the measure of Japan’s trade and investment with the rest of the world was affected by a record level of primary income, which reached 16 billion dollars (1.21 trillion rubles).
Source: Rossa Primavera
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