Japan's Trade Deficit Grows As China Buys Less

Japan's trade deficit for January grew from a year earlier with exports to China tumbling in their worst decline in three years, government data showed on Wednesday.

Japan logged a trade deficit for the month of 1.41 trillion yen (US$12.8 billion), 49.2 percent larger than a year before, the finance ministry said.

Exports were down for the second month in a row, with exports to China tumbling 17.4 percent, the sharpest fall since January 2016, as shipments of plastic and electronic devices dropped sharply.

The data comes amid a global economic slowdown and growing trade tensions.

Japan exports a range of goods including electronic parts and industrial equipment to China, which has been locked in a trade standoff with Washington. (AFP)