# Japan trade and current account trends > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/japan-trade-and-current-account-trends > Updated: 2026-09-11T11:18:03.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2. In July 2026, Japan experienced record-breaking trade volumes, with both exports and imports reaching their highest levels since January 1979. Despite exports rising 23.2% year-on-year—driven by automobiles, semiconductors, and electronic components—the country recorded a trade deficit of 634.5 billion yen. This deficit was caused by imports, particularly crude oil, growing at a faster rate of 27.8% than exports. A weakening yen, depreciating approximately 11.2% over the previous year, contributed to these monetary values. By the subsequent reporting period, Japan’s current account surplus rose to 2.9889 trillion yen. While a trade and services deficit of 912.8 billion yen persisted—influenced by rising crude oil prices and import growth outpacing export growth—the overall surplus was sustained by a significant expansion in the primary income balance. This surplus was bolstered by increased returns from direct investments abroad, signaling a structural shift where national account strength is increasingly derived from overseas interest and dividends rather than trade. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-11: Japan current account surplus rises to 2.99 trillion yen Japan's current account surplus reached nearly 3 trillion yen in July 2026, driven by high investment income and tourism despite a persistent trade deficit caused by rising import costs. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japan-current-account-surplus-rises-to-299-trillion-yen ### 2026-08-30: Japan reports record exports and imports amid widening trade deficit Japan recorded record-high exports and imports in July 2026, but a surge in energy and component costs led to a 634.5 billion yen trade deficit for the third straight month. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/openai-study-finds-chatgpt-and-critical-thinking-training-boost-student-learning --- Cite as: Japan trade and current account trends. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/japan-trade-and-current-account-trends