国产热热热精品,亚洲视频久久】日韩,三级婷婷在线久久,99人妻精品视频,精品九热人人肉肉在线,AV东京热一区二区,91po在线视频观看,久久激情宗合,青青草黄色手机视频

Global General

Special

Newsmaker

Asia Pacific

America

Middle East

Europe

Africa

Japan falls into trade deficit in October

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-11-20 10:58

TOKYO -- Japan posted a trade deficit in October as exports plunged, government data showed Thursday, indicating the country's recession may deepen as the global economic slowdown dampens demand for its goods overseas.

Nissan workers throw firecrackers as they protest against job cuts in Barcelona, November 18, 2008. Japanese car maker Nissan said they will cut thousands of jobs at its factory in Barcelona due to weak demand. [Agencies]

The world's second-largest economy is largely dependent on exports for income, and with scarce natural resources must import necessities like oil, coal and natural gas. News of the trade deficit comes after government data earlier this week showed the economy is already in a recession.

Related readings:  Japan's govt may extend rescue plan  Japan's economy unlikely to achieve growth in 2009: official  Japan slides into recession

In October, falling exports and higher imports combined to push the country into a trade deficit of 63.9 billion yen ($665.6 million).

Exports fell 7.7 percent from a year earlier to 6.93 trillion yen ($72.2 billion), as plunging sales of cars and semiconductor components overwhelmed gains in steel.

That included nearly double-digit falls in exports to the US and Europe, where the 15-country euro-zone is also in a recession.

Imports to Japan rose 7.4 percent to 6.99 trillion yen ($72.8 billion), but were lower than in recent months as fuel prices eased.

The deficit was Japan's second in three months. In August, the country posted a 332.1 billion yen deficit, which swung to an 88.5 billion yen surplus in September.

Shares in Tokyo fell Thursday following a big retreat overnight on Wall Street. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 stock index was down more than 4 percent at 7,932.18 during morning trade.