Japan slumps back into trade deficit

Tokyo

JAPAN unexpectedly slumped back into a trade deficit for the first time in four months, as soaring energy import bills offset growth in the country's shipments abroad, government data showed on Monday.

Japan logged a surprise deficit of 203 billion yen (S$2.5 billion), the first red ink in four months, according to data from the finance ministry, despite market expectations for a surplus.