Japan's Trade Turns: $2 Billion Surplus as U.S. Exports Rebound

Japan recorded a trade surplus in November, its first in five months. The $2.1 billion surplus marks a sharp turnaround for the world's third-largest economy. A key driver was a rebound in exports to the United States. Shipments to the U.S. rose for the first time in eight months, according to official data from Japan's Finance Ministry. The data suggests global trade conditions may be improving. Increased exports of cars, machinery, and electronics contributed to the growth. A weaker Japanese yen also made the country's goods less expensive for foreign buyers. This helped offset the high cost of energy imports, which have weighed on Japan's trade balance. The return to a surplus provides a positive signal for Japan's economic outlook as the year ends.