Japan Logs Unprecedented USD114B Surplus in 2025

(MENAFN) Japan registered an unprecedented current account surplus of 17.51 trillion yen (approximately 114 billion U.S. dollars) during the first half of fiscal 2025 spanning April through September, representing a 14.1 percent surge compared to the previous year, the Finance Ministry reported Tuesday.

The milestone represents the largest half-year surplus since records began, propelled by declining energy import expenditures and robust returns from foreign investments.

The current account—encompassing merchandise and service trade alongside overseas investment returns—achieved a positive trade position while sustaining substantial primary income performance.

Trade figures showed a 49.4 billion yen surplus, a dramatic reversal from the 2.36 trillion yen deficit recorded during the corresponding 2024 period. Import spending contracted 3.8 percent to 52.61 trillion yen as crude oil and coal acquisitions from the Middle East and Australia diminished.

Export revenues climbed 0.6 percent to 52.66 trillion yen, bolstered by semiconductor and electronic component shipments to Asian markets. Conversely, automobile export volumes weakened following U.S. tariff implementations.

Primary income—comprising interest and dividend receipts from international investments—advanced 2.1 percent to 22.28 trillion yen, establishing a new half-year record as multiple Japanese corporations collected substantial dividend payments from foreign subsidiaries in September.

The services account deficit totaled 1.86 trillion yen, narrowing 11.3 percent year-over-year. Travel receipts increased 7.0 percent to 3.31 trillion yen driven by vigorous inbound tourism activity, partially offsetting service sector shortfalls. (1 yen equals 0.0065 U.S. dollars)

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