"Exports are likely to return to surplus in the latter half of this year"
- Takeshi Minami of Norinchukin Research Institute
Japan's trade deficit widened in January as a strong yen hurt exporters and fuel imports rose after shutdown of most of 54 nuclear reactors. The deficit came to 1.48 trillion yen, estimated the Ministry of Finance.
"Special factors such as the earthquake last year, the nuclear problem and a temporary slowdown in the global economy as well as Japan's new year holiday came together and pushed down the trade balance," said Takeshi Minami of Norinchukin Research Institute.
"Exports are likely to return to surplus in the latter half of this year as a slowdown in emerging nations' economies is expected to stop around April-June."
"We need at least half a year of data to see what is happening on the export side," said Masamichi Adachi, economist at JPMorgan in Tokyo. "As long as China and Europe maintain some growth, Japan's overall current account surplus may not be in any real danger."
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