(March 18): Japan’s exports grew at a slower pace, as tariffs weighed on car shipments to the US fell and as demand in China slumped due to the Lunar New Year holidays. Exports to China declined 10.9% as the Lunar New Year holidays took place in February this year. “The decline in exports to China was due to the Lunar New Year,” said Shinichiro Kobayashi, chief economist at Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting. Japan’s currency averaged 155.65 per dollar in February, 0.7% weaker than in the same month last year, according to the ministry. “With the weak yen, the cost of oil imports is certain to rise, which means the trade deficit is likely to widen,” Kobayashi said.

Source: The Edge Markets March 18, 2026 04:52 UTC