According to preliminary balance of payments data for the first half of 2026 released by the Ministry of Finance, the current account recorded a surplus of ¥17.4292 trillion, the largest ever for the first half of a year. The trade balance swung to a surplus, while the current account fell into deficit in June.
According to preliminary balance of payments data for the first half of 2026 released by the Ministry of Finance, the current account surplus increased from the same period of the previous year to ¥17.4292 trillion, the largest ever recorded for the first half of a year. The increase was attributed to higher exports of semiconductors and other products.
The trade balance recorded a surplus of ¥742.1 billion, swinging from a deficit in the same period of the previous year. Higher exports of semiconductors and other electronic components, as well as automobiles, contributed to the improvement.
Meanwhile, the current account recorded a deficit of ¥92.3 billion in June, the first deficit in 17 months. The increase in dividend payments from Japanese companies to overseas investors was cited as a contributing factor.