Japan's Exports Soar 16.8% in January, Fastest Growth in Over Three Years

• Japan's exports jumped 16.8% year-on-year in January, marking the fastest growth in over three years and the fifth consecutive month of expansion.
• Shipments to China surged 32%, driving a 25.8% increase in exports to Asia, despite diplomatic tensions.
• Exports to Western Europe rose 29.6%, while those to North America and the United States saw declines.
• Commodity-wise, food exports increased 31.3%, machinery shipments 14.3%, and electrical machinery 27.3%.
• Imports fell 2.5%, with mineral fuel purchases down 14.1%, narrowing Japan's trade deficit to 1.15 trillion yen.