Japan posted a goods trade deficit for the third consecutive month in January, hit by weak exports to China and the United States, government data showed Wednesday.

The trade deficit stood at ¥1.31 trillion ($12 billion), following an upwardly revised ¥154.55 billion deficit in December, according to a preliminary report released by the Finance Ministry.

Exports declined 2.6 percent from a year earlier to ¥5.43 trillion, down for the 14th straight month, and imports fell 3.6 percent to ¥6.74 trillion, falling for the ninth consecutive month, the ministry said.