Japan returns to trade deficit as AI boosts imports

Japan electrical machinery imports jump 31.5%

Imports of electrical machinery jumped 31.5%, while oil and gas imports fell 1.8% year-on-year due to the Iran war and blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
The weak yen (now around 160 per US dollar versus 140 last year) made buying stuff from abroad pricier for Japan.
Even though the Bank of Japan raised interest rates for the first time since 1995 to fight inflation, it hasn't helped strengthen the yen just yet.