The surplus in May marks a 52.2% increase compared to April, according to data released by Japan’s Ministry of Finance.
Japan’s balance of payments remained positive in May, primarily due to the income account related to foreign investments, which recorded a surplus of 4.25 trillion yen (24.8 billion euros), a decrease of 2.7% compared to the same month in 2024.
The services balance also recorded a positive result of 201.1 billion yen (1.17 billion euros) in May, compared to a deficit of 51.6 billion yen (300.6 million euros) in the same period of 2024.
Conversely, Japan’s trade balance recorded a deficit of 522.3 million yen (3.04 million euros) in May, down 52.4% from the previous year.
Although Japanese imports fell by 7.5% year-on-year to 8.56 trillion yen (49.9 billion euros), exports also decreased by 1.4%, amounting to 8.03 trillion yen (46.8 billion euros).
The transfers balance posted a negative balance of 497.9 billion yen (2.9 billion euros), an increase of 82.2% compared to May 2024.
The balance of payments reflects the payments and receipts of the foreign trade of goods, services, income, and transfers, and is considered one of the broadest indicators of a country’s trade.
