Supply Chain Research

Japan’s international trade continued to grow in March. Imports jumped 16%, well above the 10% expected by economists, and was the result of a 37% increase in fuel imports. Exports increased more slowly, but the 12% rate still outpaced the 6% forecast and shows 2016’s prolonged downturn is over. The country is increasingly reliant on Asia for growth. Exports to the EU increased just 1% and those to the U.S. by just 4%. The latter was the result of a slide in shipments by the automotive industry, with auto-body parts falling 10% and tires by 15%.