October 2023 Trade Statistics

◆According to October 2023 trade statistics, export value grew for the second consecutive month by +1.6% y/y. On the other hand, on a seasonally adjusted basis, export value fell by -1.2% m/m. The acceleration of motor vehicle exports due to recovering production has slowed. Meanwhile, import value was down for the seventh consecutive month by -12.5% y/y. However, the decline narrowed, partly due to the surge in crude oil prices caused by heightened geopolitical risks. On a seasonally adjusted basis, imports were down 0.7% from the previous month. As a result, the trade balance posted a deficit of -662.5 bil yen for the first time in two months. The deficit widened to -462.0 bil yen on a seasonally adjusted basis due to worsening terms of trade.

◆Export volume in October declined for the first time in two months by -1.1% m/m. In addition to declines in exports of ICs to Asia and semicon machinery etc. to China, the extent to which motor vehicles provided upward pressure to exports was limited. Looking at export volume by source of demand, exports to the US were up by +4.4%, while others declined, with exports to the EU down by -8.5%, and exports to Asia down by -4.3%.

◆Export volume is expected to continue in a moderate growth tone. Exports of a wide range of goods are expected to increase with resilient personal consumption in the US and accelerating economic recovery in China. The high level of motor vehicle exports due to the continuation of recovery production will also be a supporting factor. On the other hand, exports of capital goods to the US and Europe are expected to remain sluggish for the time being due to a downturn in corporate capital investment under the tight financial environment in those areas.