RECENT TRENDS IN JAPAN-U.S.
ECONOMIC RELATIONS

Free market Forces Yield Balance of Trade Improvement

There is a downward trend in Japan's trade surplus with the U.S.

On a year to year basis, Japan's trade surplus with the United states decreased by 17% in 1995.

Yearly Trends in Japan's Trade Surplus with the United States 1990-1995

Source: Japanese Ministry of Finance Customs Clearance Statistics

On a month-to-month comparison to the same month from the previous year, Japan's trade surplus with the U.S. has been decreasing for 8 consecutive months on a dollar basis (11 consecutive months on a yen basis).

Monthly Trends in Japan's Trade Surplus with the United States 1994 and 1995

Source: Japanese Ministry of Finance Customs Clearance Statistics

Japanese imports from the United States have been growing steadily, achieving a rate of 20.3% growth from 1994 to 1995 (the third consecutive year in which positive growth was recorded).

Yearly Trends in Japan's Imports from the United States 1990-1995

Source: Japanese Ministry of Finance Customs Clearance Statistics

Monthly Trends in Japan's Imports from the United States 1994 and 1995

Source: Japanese Ministry of Finance Customs Clearance Statistics