Core Viewpoint - Japan's overall exports in May decreased by 1.7% year-on-year, marking the first decline in eight months, primarily due to a drop in automobile exports to the United States [1]. Group 1: Export Performance - Japan's total export value fell to 8.1349 trillion yen in May, with a significant reduction in exports to the U.S. by 11.1%, amounting to 1.514 trillion yen [1]. - Exports of automobiles to the U.S. saw a substantial decline of 24.7%, indicating a notable impact from the additional tariffs imposed by the Trump administration [1]. - The decrease in export volume was only 3.9%, suggesting that the decline in export value was primarily driven by falling prices [1]. Group 2: Trade Balance - The trade balance with the U.S. showed a surplus of 451.7 billion yen, which is a reduction for the first time in five months [1]. - Japan's exports to China also decreased by 8.8%, totaling 1.4417 trillion yen, with declines in semiconductor manufacturing equipment, copper, and hybrid vehicles [1]. - Overall imports into Japan amounted to 8.7726 trillion yen, down 7.7%, marking a consecutive two-month decline [1]. - The trade balance, after subtracting imports from exports, resulted in a deficit of 637.6 billion yen, continuing a trend of deficits for two consecutive months [1].