Exports in August rose for the first time since the March 11 earthquake, up 2.8 percent from a year earlier, but an increase in energy resource imports resulted in a trade deficit of ¥775.3 billion for the month, the Finance Ministry said Wednesday.
Despite signs that domestic production is on the path to recovery, the trade deficit was the largest for the month of August since 1979. It was the first deficit in three months and follows a surplus of ¥72.5 billion in July.
Exports rose 2.8 percent compared with August 2010 and reached ¥5.36 trillion, while imports rose 19.2 percent to ¥6.13 trillion, up for the 20th straight month, according to the ministry's preliminary report.