日本對華貿易逆差料將進一步擴大

Japan's large trade deficit with China is expected to grow further this year as the growth in imports to meet domestic demand outpaces sluggish exports to the Chinese market, the country's trade proMotion body said Tuesday.

日本貿易促進機構週二稱，由於滿足內需的進口增長速度超過了日本對中國市場的出口增速，日本對中國的龐大貿易逆差今年預計將進一步擴大。

The deficit with China was the biggest among Japan's trading partners in 2013, at $52 billion. Saudi Arabia and Qatar, both major oil and gas suppliers to Japan, were ranked second and third.

2013年日本對中國的貿易逆差達520億美元，在日本所有貿易夥伴中位列第一。向日本出口油氣的沙特阿拉伯和卡塔爾分別位列第二和第三。

While an increase in energy imports since 2010 has been the largest contributor to the deteriorating balance, trade deficits with China have also been a key factor, accounting for 26% of an overall Yen18 trillion ($78 billion) reversal in the overall trade balance over the period, according to JPMorgan.

雖然2010年以來日本能源進口的不斷增加是日本貿易差額惡化的主要原因，但日本對中國的龐大貿易逆差也構成一個主要因素。據摩根大通(JPMorgan)的數據，在這段時期裏，日本的貿易逆差總額達到18萬億日圓（約合780億美元），而日本對中國的貿易逆差佔到了26%。

The Japan External Trade Organization, a government affiliated body, said that trade between the two countries is expected to grow in 2014 for the first time in three years. Data from China showed that bilateral trade between the two countries was up 10.6% in January from the same period last year.

隸屬日本政府的日本貿易振興機構(Japan External Trade Organization)稱，2014年中日雙邊貿易預計將實現三年來的首次增長。中國的數據顯示，今年1月份中日兩國的雙邊貿易同比增長了10.6%。

Trade ties have suffered since 2012 when a long-running territorial dispute flared up, sparking consumer boycotts of Japanese goods in China. For 2013, trade with China fell 6.5% due to the continuing chill in relations as well as a slowdown in China's growth rate. China remained Japan's biggest trading partner, however, ahead of the U.S. and South Korea.

2012年，中日長期存在的領土爭端爆發，導致中國消費者在國內抵制日貨，此後兩國貿易關係受損。2013年，由於中日關係繼續降溫，加之中國經濟增長放緩，日中兩國的貿易下降了6.5%。不過中國仍是日本最大的貿易伙伴，美國和韓國次之。

Sales of Japanese cars, which were hit hard by the anti-Japanese sentiment, are among those recovering, Jetro says.

日本貿易振興機構稱，日系汽車的銷售一度受到抵制日貨情緒的嚴重打擊，現在也開始回暖。

The share of Japanese brands in the Chinese new car market rose to 19.7% in December, from a low of 7.6% in October 2012, nearly returning the recent peak of 23.2% marked in July 2011, Jetro said citing Chinese auto sales data.

日本貿易振興機構援引中國汽車銷售數據稱，去年12月份日系車在中國新車市場所佔份額從2012年10月份時的低點7.6%升至19.7%，幾近重返2011年7月時創下的23.2%的近期峯值水平。

But as trade ties improve, China is expected to be the main beneficiary, with imports of smart phones and other items from China expected to grow faster than exports of Japanese cars and construction and mining equipment.

不過，隨着中日兩國貿易關係的回暖，預計中國將成爲主要受益方，與日本汽車、建築和採礦類設備的出口增幅相比，日本對中國所產智能手機和其他商品的進口量可能要增長得更快。

Yoichi Maie, Jetro's research director for China, stressed the need for Japanese companies to search for new areas of business.

日本貿易振興機構的中國市場研究主管Yoichi Maie強調，日本企業需要探索新的業務領域。

He noted that Japanese products that are widely considered as 'cool' in China continue to enjoy brisk sales.

他指出，在中國市場被廣泛認可的日本商品會繼續保持暢銷。

Sales of leisure items, such as sports shoes and camping gear, have also benefited from growing purchasing power of Chinese consumers, who have begun to spend more time for leisure and entertainment.

運動鞋和野營用品等休閒類商品的銷量也受益於中國消費者不斷增長的購買力。中國消費者開始在休閒娛樂方面投入更多時間。

One such item is Kawasaki Heavy Industries' 'Ninja' motorcycle, whose sales jumped 19 times in 2013. Another item that has seen brisks sales are Japanese hairpieces, whose sales jumped 7-fold in 2013.

以川崎重工業公司(Kawasaki Heavy Industries)生產的Ninja摩托車爲例，其2013年銷量勁增19倍。日本產的假髮也是暢銷品之一，2013年銷量增長了七倍。

'Japan cannot keep on exporting the same products, which will eventually be replaced by local products,' Mr. Maie said. 'Exports can only be increased by exploring new fields.'

Maie說，日本的出口產品不能一成不變，這些產品終將被出口市場的本地產品所取代，只有探尋新領域才能推動日本出口增長。