■Japan posts record trade deficit for first half of 2013：
Japan posted a 4.84 trillion yen ($48.43 billion) trade deficit for the first six months of 2013--a record trade loss for a half year--according to preliminary statistics released by the Finance Ministry on July 24.
The yen has weakened against the dollar, giving a boost to exports but raising prices of imported fuel. The increase in exports has failed to cover the surge in imports.
(7/24)
(5/17)(4/12)(4/3)
