Mizuho Securities economist Shota Amano said sustained high energy costs are likely to keep Japan running a trade deficit for some time. Strong AI and semiconductor demand may support further export growth, but elevated energy prices and higher costs for substitute procurement are expected to boost imports and outpace export gains, maintaining a near-term deficit. He added that a decline in energy prices would likely shift the trade balance back toward improvement. Japan posted a ¥1.1056 tln tra

Mizuho Securities economist Shota Amano said sustained high energy costs are likely to keep Japan running a trade deficit for some time. Strong AI and semiconductor demand may support further export growth, but elevated energy prices and higher costs for substitute procurement are expected to boost imports and outpace export gains, maintaining a near-term deficit. He added that a decline in energy prices would likely shift the trade balance back toward improvement. Japan posted a ¥1.1056 tln trade deficit in August, the largest since January.