"Record-breaking Japanese Exports Surge in December as Chinese Shipments Rebound"

Japan's exports surged to a record high in December, with shipments to China rising for the first time in over a year and sales to the United States reaching a record level. The trade balance came to a surplus of 62.1 billion yen, surpassing the median estimate for a deficit. Japan's imports fell 6.8% in December, contributing to the trade surplus. For the whole of 2023, Japan logged a trade deficit of 9.29 trillion yen, marking three consecutive years of deficit but shrinking by 54.3% compared to the previous year.