Japan reported an unexpected trade surplus for September thanks in part to higher demand for vehicles amid the autoworkers strike in the United States.
Japan’s September trade surplus JPY62.4 bln (expected deficit of JPY450 mln; last deficit of JPY937.8 bln).
September Imports -16.3% yr/yr (expected -12.9%; last -17.7%) and Exports 4.3% yr/yr (expected 3.1%; last -0.8%)
A former Bank of Japan official said that the BoJ could end negative interest rate policy by the end of this year before adjusting the terms of yield curve control.
The Bank of Japan’s regional economic report raised the assessment of six out of nine regions.