Japan's exports jump 17% in May, but it logs a deficit as imports surge

TOKYO (AP) — Japan recorded a trade deficit in May, the first in four months, as imports of electrical machinery surged, helping to offset a jump in exports, the Finance Ministry reported Wednesday.

Preliminary data showed Japan' s exports rose 17% in May from the same month last year to 9.51 trillion yen ($59.4 billion), while imports rose 12.5% to 9.89 trillion yen ($61.8 billion).

That left a deficit of 378.6 billion yen ($2.4 billion).