Japan's May exports log sharpest rise in 41 years on pandemic recovery

Exports of both cars and auto parts more than doubled from a year earlier in May, with demand for the auto-related Japanese products particularly strong in the United States. | BLOOMBERG

TOKYO, June 16 (Japan Times/ANN) - Japan’s exports in May jumped 49.6% from a year ago to post the sharpest rise in over four decades, with their rebound from a coronavirus pandemic-induced downturn driven by solid demand for cars and auto parts, government data showed Wednesday.

Exports of goods surged to ¥6.26 trillion ($57 billion) in the reporting month, increasing at the fastest pace since a record 51.4% leap was logged in April 1980, according to the preliminary data released by the Finance Ministry, which began compiling the statistics in January 1979.