Japan's trade balance fell into the red in August for the first time in three months, as a stronger yen pushed down the value of exports.

Officials at Japan's Finance Ministry said that the deficit came in at about 184 million dollars. The value of exports was down 9.6% in yen terms from a year earlier, posting an 11th straight month of decline, according to Japan's (NHK Radio) news. The value of imports shrank 17.3%. 

Lower prices for crude oil and natural gas helped shrink the total value of imports. The officials said seasonal factors were also behind the sluggish numbers, as many exporters took holidays during the month. 

Source : QNA