Official figures show slump in Japanese exports

Japan’s exports tumbled 36% in August – with car shipments falling by half - and imports also contracted sharply, the government said today, showing the world’s second-ranked economy remains mired in a deep slump.

Declines in car and steel exports were particularly pronounced, the Ministry of Finance said. Exports fell for the 11th straight month to 4.5 trillion yen (€33bn).