
Japan's July Exports Hit 23.2% as Chip Demand Drives Fifth Consecutive Monthly Gain
Japan’s export growth accelerated to 23.2% year-on-year in July, marking the fifth consecutive month of gains and the fastest rate since October 2022. The surge was primarily driven by a 49.1% jump in semiconductor equipment shipments, fueled by artificial intelligence demand. While exports to China and the U.S. rose significantly, volume growth was modest at 5.2%, with value increases largely attributed to a weak yen. Imports also climbed to a 27.8% increase, driven by a sharp rise in petroleum costs due to geopolitical tensions, resulting in a trade deficit of 634.5 billion yen.







