Japan posted a February 2026 trade surplus, boosted by strong exports to Europe and Asia despite declines in U.S. and Chinese shipments.

Japan recorded a trade surplus of 57.3 billion yen ($360 million) in February 2026, reversing a January deficit, as exports rose 4.2% year-on-year to 9.57 trillion yen, driven by strong demand in Europe and Asia, despite an 8% drop in shipments to the U.S. and a 10.9% decline to China. The U.S. export drop was attributed to ongoing 15% tariffs on Japanese autos, while higher oil prices—near $100 a barrel due to Middle East tensions—boosted imports by 10.2%. A weaker yen, at about 159 per dollar, helped support export competitiveness.