Japan's exports and imports grow in September despite Trump's tariffs

Japan’s exports grew 4.2% in September, according to government data Wednesday (Oct 22), on robust shipments to Asia that offset a decline in exports to the US, which were impacted by President Donald Trump’s tariffs.

Japan’s exports to Asia jumped 9.2% last month compared to the same period a year earlier, according to Japanese Ministry of Finance data.

Exports to the US dropped 13.3%, marking the sixth straight month of on-year declines, while those to China surged 5.8% compared to last year.

Auto shipments to the US dropped 24.2% in September. Automakers like Toyota Motor Corp. are pillars of Japan's economy.

Japan’s imports edged up 3.3% in September overall, growing 6% in Asia, including a 9.8% rise in imports from China.

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The findings come a day after Sanae Takaichi was chosen in a parliamentary vote as the nation’s prime minister, becoming the first woman to lead Japan.

She is known for nationalist-leaning conservative views but is also seen as a proponent of bigger public spending, which has sent share prices generally rising in Tokyo in recent sessions.

Takaichi has also promised higher wages, as well as looser monetary policy, which would favor a weak Japanese yen. That would be a boon for the nation’s giant exporters by raising the value of overseas earnings when converted into yen.

Takaichi faces an uphill battle in realising her policies because the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, even with coalition partners, does not have a majority in either house of parliament. Her own party remains divided.

Trump, who is expected to visit Japan later this month to meet with Takaichi, announced a trade framework with Japan in July that placed a 15% tax on Japanese goods.

At that time, Japan promised to invest $550 billion into the US and open its economy more to American automobiles and rice. The 15% tax on imported Japanese goods was a significant drop from the 25% rate that Trump had said earlier.

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