Japan's exports to U.S. fall for 5th month in August

TOKYO, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Japan's exports to the United States fell for the fifth consecutive month in August, with auto shipments posting a sharp 28.4-percent decline over U.S. tariff policies, government data showed on Wednesday.

The Finance Ministry said exports to the U.S. totaled 1.3855 trillion yen (about 9.5 billion U.S. dollars) in August, down 13.8 percent year-on-year. Auto exports accounted for much of the drop, plunging by more than a quarter.

Meanwhile, imports from the U.S. rose 11.6 percent to 1.0615 trillion yen, the first increase in seven months, boosted by higher aircraft purchases.

The country's total exports in August stood at 8.4252 trillion yen, down 0.1 percent from a year earlier.

Trade balance showed a deficit of 242.5 billion yen, marking the second straight month in the red. Enditem