Japan posted a merchandise trade deficit of 69.045 billion yen in June, the Ministry of Finance said on Thursday.
That missed forecasts for a surplus of 45.8 billion following the downwardly revised 217.2 billion yen deficit in May (originally -215.97 billion).
Exports climbed 9.5 percent on year to 6.505 trillion yen, shy of expectations for a gain of 10.0 percent following the 2.4 percent increase in the previous month.
Exports to all of Asia jumped 10.1 percent on year to 3.525 trillion yen, while exports to China alone gained an annual 5.9 percent to 1.160 trillion yen.
Exports to the United States climbed 17.6 percent on year to 1.302 trillion yen, while exports to the European Union gained an annual 10.8 percent to 665.452 billion yen.
Imports dipped an annual 2.9 percent to 6.574 trillion yen versus expectations for a fall of 4.2 percent after tumbling 8.7 percent a month earlier.
Imports from all of Asia added 7.0 percent on year to 3.193 trillion yen, while imports from China alone advanced an annual 6.9 percent to 1.571 trillion yen.
Imports from the United States surged 14.9 percent on year to 723.707 billion yen, while imports from the European Union added an annual 6.5 percent to 696.294 billion yen.
The adjusted trade balance showed a deficit of 251.7 billion yen - which beat expectations for a shortfall of 260.0 billion yen following the upwardly revised 155.2 billion yen shortfall in May (originally -182.5 billion yen).
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