Supply Chain Research

Japan’s international trade activity fell for a seventh straight month in November with a 12.0% drop. Exports dropped for the 12th successive month with a 7.9% slide, though that was better than the 9.2% decrease seen a month earlier and included improved exports of medical products and semiconductor machinery. The latter suggests the regional electronics industry downturn may be at an end. However, trade with South Korea has continued to wane because of the bilateral withdrawal of trusted trader status. Japan’s exports to South Korea fell by 17.0% as a consequence. A heads-of-state talk...