Japan’s 2012 trade deficit was its biggest ever: The deficit reached Y6.9tn ($77bn) as the cost of importing fuel rose following the Fukushima disaster, a strong yen, and frictions with China weighed on exports, bringing them 5.8% lower than the previous year, compared to expectations of a 4.2% decline. Prior to 2011, Japan had not recorded trade deficits since the 1980s. (Financial Times)(Reuters)

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