Japan posted a merchandise trade deficit of 932.149 billion yen in September, the Ministry of Finance said on Monday - sliding into the red for the 14th consecutive month.

The headline figure missed forecasts for a shortfall of 918.6 billion yen following the revised deficit of 962.84 billion yen (originally 960.33 billion yen).

Exports gained 11.5 percent on year to 5.972 trillion yen, also shy of expectations for a gain of 15.6 percent following the downwardly revised 14.6 percent increase in the previous month (originally 14.7 percent).

Exports to China added 11.4 percent on year to 1.062 trillion yen, while exports to all of Asia were up 8.2 percent on year to 3.183 trillion yen.

Exports to the United States jumped 18.8 percent on year to 1.109 trillion yen, while exports to the European Union gained an annual 14.3 percent to 645.495 billion yen.

Imports jumped an annual 16.5 percent to 6.904 trillion yen versus forecasts for 20.7 percent after rising 16.0 percent a month earlier.

Imports from Asia spiked 21.7 percent on year to 3.157 trillion yen, while imports from China alone surged an annual 30.9 percent to 1.682 trillion yen.

Imports from the United States jumped 13.8 percent on year to 576.257 billion yen, while imports from the European Union surged 30.7 percent to 669.927 billion yen.

RTTNews