The Japanese government has released data showing the largest ever trade deficit in the nations history, primarily caused by the currency depreciation of the Yen. Devaluing the Yen is intended to help balance trade by boosting exports and increasing margins on those goods sold overseas as international currencies settle back into Yen.

The taking off-line of the nuclear facility at Fukushima and the lackluster demand for heavy industry goods in the big 6 markets have both contributed to the trade deficit results.

Toyota motors now manufactures and sources inside of the US a large percentage of its automobile line for Toyota America. Thus, the impact of a declining Japanese currency does not affect Toyota’s bottom line as it once did when Toyota rolled its cars off of the Honsha Toyota Plant floor.

If you look at the raw data from the Finance Ministry of Japan you will see that Japan has a deficit in Asia with Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. The remaining Asian countries all have surpluses with Japan. The trade deficits of note were with China, Australia, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Russia.

You can see all of the results here at: http://www.customs.go.jp/toukei/shinbun/trade-st_e/2013/201328e.xml

Sample Article – Sample Article Sample Article – Sample Article

By Alok Mishra.Anticipator at en.wikipedia [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons See Photos Disclaimer

Asian Economies, Deficit, Devaluation, Economy, Fukushima, Japan, Trade Balance