09.03.202601:29:37UTC+00Japan Current Account Surplus Below Estimates

Japan’s current account surplus surged to JPY 942.6 billion in January 2026, up from JPY 344.6 billion a year earlier, although it came in slightly below market expectations of JPY 960 billion. The overall improvement was driven primarily by a substantial narrowing of the goods account deficit, which contracted to JPY 600.4 billion from JPY 2,934.0 billion. This shift reflected a 20.5% jump in exports alongside a 7.7% decline in imports, supported by lower energy import costs and resilient external demand.

Other components of the current account were less favorable. The primary income surplus, which largely comprises returns on overseas investments, dropped to JPY 2,746.6 billion from JPY 3,520.0 billion. The secondary income deficit widened modestly, to JPY 489.3 billion from JPY 440.8 billion. At the same time, the services account deficit increased markedly, to JPY 715.3 billion from JPY 498.8 billion, partly owing to stronger outbound travel and higher payments for foreign services.