Japan logs trade deficit for 4th consecutive month

TOKYO, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Japan continued to see a trade deficit in October, remaining in the red for the fourth consecutive month that was largely driven by a sharp rise of computer imports, government data showed on Wednesday.

The country logged a deficit of 461.2 billion yen (about 2.98 billion U.S. dollars) last month, narrowing by 34.4 percent compared to the same month last year, according to preliminary trade data released by the Ministry of Finance.

While exports, led by semiconductor manufacturing equipment, saw growth, the sharp rise in imports of computers and smartphones weighed on the balance.

In breakdown, exports increased 3.1 percent year-on-year to 9.4266 trillion yen, with those of semiconductor manufacturing equipment surging 42.6 percent.

Imports edged up 0.4 percent year-on-year to 9.8879 trillion yen. Computers saw the largest increase at 46 percent, followed by non-ferrous metals like copper at 38.3 percent, and communication devices such as smartphones at 8.7 percent.

The introduction of new models drove higher imports of computers and smartphones, particularly from China and other Asian economies, according to the ministry.

Regionally, exports to the United States declined by 6.2 percent, while exports to Asia grew by 7.6 percent, driven by increased semiconductor investments.

Exports to the European Union fell by 11.3 percent, primarily due to lower automobile exports.