Business · Economy · 8 hrs ago
Japan's current account surplus fell 0.4% in April-September
Japan's current account surplus edged lower in the first half of fiscal 2026, covering April through September.
It was 17.1482 trillion yen, down 0.4% from the same period a year earlier.
The current account tracks Japan's transactions with other countries involving goods, services and investment.
The trade balance shifted into deficit, weighing on the overall surplus.
The shift came as worsening Middle East tensions raised costs for alternative supplies of crude oil.
The figures show that higher oil procurement costs offset some of Japan's overseas earnings, but no further developments are specified.
Japan’s current account surplus fell 0.4% year on year to 17.1482 trillion yen in April-September 2026.
The Finance Ministry said the trade balance shifted to a deficit.
Higher costs for alternative crude oil supplies amid worsening Middle East conditions contributed to the deficit.
The figures were part of the ministry’s preliminary balance-of-payments statistics for the first half of fiscal 2026.
- Who
- Japan’s Finance Ministry released the figures.
- What
- The current account recorded a surplus of 17.1482 trillion yen, down 0.4% year on year. The trade balance shifted to a deficit.
- When
- April-September 2026; the figures were released on November 10, 2026.
- Where
- Japan.
- Why
- Higher costs for alternative crude oil supplies amid worsening Middle East conditions contributed to the trade balance turning to a deficit.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Japan recorded a current account surplus of 17.1482 trillion yen, down 0.4% from a year earlier.
The Finance Ministry released preliminary balance-of-payments figures for the first half of fiscal 2026.
- Current account surplus
- 17.1482 trillion yen
- Year-on-year change
- Down 0.4%
- Period covered
- April-September 2026
- Trade balance
- Shifted to a deficit
- Release date
- November 10, 2026