The decline in exports slowed in October, bringing the rate to just below levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic, as global demand for products such as cars has risen in line with a gradual recovery in business activities, government data showed Wednesday.
Exports edged down 0.2% from a year earlier to ¥6.57 trillion ($63 billion), with auto shipments to the United States and China showing a significant increase while those of diesel oil and cargo ships remained sluggish, the Finance Ministry said in a preliminary report.
In September, exports had fallen 4.9%.