TOKYO (AP) — Japan's exports dropped for the third straight month in May, hit by massive production losses in the auto sector following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami disasters, the government said Monday.
Exports fell 10.3 percent year-on-year to 4.76 trillion yen ($6 billion). Imports rose 12.3 percent to 5.61 trillion yen, resulting in a trade deficit of 853.7 billion yen — Japan's second-biggest after a 967.9 billion yen deficit in January 2009, the finance ministry said.
"Exports were down again as auto shipments tumbled in the month. Automakers struggled with parts shortages after the quake, and did not see a recovery in production in May," said economist Hajime Inoue at the Japan Research Institute Ltd.
The March disasters, which left more than 23,000 people dead or missing in northeastern Japan, destroyed hundreds of factories, forcing automakers — a pillar of this nation's economy — and manufacturers to suspend production.
Toyota Motor Corp. says the supply crunch cost it production of 550,000 vehicles in Japan by the end of May. Toyota's car production in May was half of normal levels.
Honda Motor Co. also produced vehicles in Japan at half of its usual level in May due to parts shortages.
Overall Japanese auto exports in May plunged 38.9 percent and shipments of auto parts dropped 18.5 percent, the ministry said.
Among key regions, U.S.-bound auto exports nosedived 43.5 percent, and auto exports to China — Japan's biggest trading partner — tumbled 40.1 percent. Vehicle shipments to Asia and the European Union were down 27.6 percent and 35.8 percent respectively.
Economist Inoue said Japanese exports would likely rebound later in the year as auto production was expected to be back at pre-disaster levels in the coming months.
Japan's exports to the United States fell 14.6 percent in May, the ministry said. Exports to China declined 8.1 percent. Asia-bound shipments were down 8.7 percent, while exports to the European Union fell 8.8 percent.
Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan, criticized for his handling of the tsunami disaster and the country's sluggish economy, is under pressure to resign next month after budget bills are passed by parliament, reports said Monday.
Kan is being pushed by senior members of his party to step down after the passage of a second extra budget for the current fiscal year, which ends in March 2012, according to the Kyodo News agency and public broadcaster NHK.
Passage is expected in mid-July.
Kyodo and NHK said Kan is expected to announce details of his intentions soon, after meeting with the party leadership. NHK said it is not clear whether he will agree to step down next month or try to hold on longer.
Kan has said he is willing to resign after the country's recovery from the disaster takes hold, but has not specified when.
