Tokyo. Japan’s exports to the United States fell 10.1 percent in July compared to the same period last year, according to data released by Japan’s Finance Ministry on Wednesday. This is the fourth consecutive month in which exports to the US have declined.

This sharp decline in exports is mainly due to a sharp decrease in the supply of vehicles and auto parts, which is the effect of the new import duties imposed by the US government. Japanese automobile exports to the US declined by 28.4 per cent, while parts exports declined 17.4 per cent.

Japan’s total exports fell 2.6 percent to 9.36 trillion yen (about $6.31 million), down for the third month in a row. Imports fell 7.5 per cent, driven by falling crude oil, coal and liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices as well as a strong yen.

Japan’s trade deficit reached 117.5 billion yen in July, the first time in the past two months, according to the ministry.