Japan trade deficit shrinks again in April

TOKYO: Japan’s trade deficit narrowed again last month, data showed Wednesday, as a sales tax hike weighed on imports—denting demand for foreign fruit, lobsters and crude oil—while shipments of goods to overseas markets picked up pace.

The upbeat figures come hours before the Bank of Japan is to wrap up a two-day meeting and were likely to cement expectations that policymakers would hold fire on any new easing measures to fire up the world’s number-three economy.