Japan's exports fell in May for the first time in eight months as big automakers like Toyota were hit by sweeping U.S. tariffs, and the failure of the Asian nation to clinch a trade deal this week will likely pile pressure on its fragile economy.

TOKYO: Japanese auto exports to the United States fell almost a quarter in May, data showed on Wednesday (Jun 18), as worries over Donald Trump's tariffs continue to grow with no deal yet made between Tokyo and Washington.

Japan’s exports fell for the first time in eight months as the US tariff campaign weighed on global trade, raising the risk of a technical recession after the economy contracted at the start of the year.