Recent trade data from Japan and South Korea indicate a significant increase in outbound shipments, primarily driven by the semiconductor sector, despite energy supply disruptions caused by conflict in Iran.

近期日韓貿易數據顯示，儘管伊朗衝突導致能源供應中斷，但出貨量仍大幅增加，主要由半導體產業驅動。

The Japanese Ministry of Finance reported a 14.8% year-on-year increase in April exports, surpassing the 9.3% growth projected by analysts. This expansion is attributed to a 41.6% surge in semiconductor shipments, precipitated by the global requirement for artificial intelligence infrastructure. Additional contributions were noted in medical products, paper goods, and electrical machinery. While exports to China and the United States rose by 15.5% and 9.5% respectively, the trade balance shifted to a surplus of 301.9 billion yen, though this represents a contraction from the 643 billion yen surplus recorded in March.

日本財務省報告指出，4月份出口年增率為14.8%，超過分析師預期的9.3%。此成長歸因於全球對人工智慧基礎設施的需求，導致半導體出貨量激增41.6%。醫療產品、紙製品及電氣機械亦有所貢獻。儘管對中國與美國的出口分別成長15.5%與9.5%，貿易餘額轉為盈餘3,019億日圓，但相較於3月份記錄的6,430億日圓盈餘有所縮減。

Concurrently, the Japanese economy faces systemic pressures stemming from the conflict in Iran. The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has necessitated a 50% reduction in oil imports by value and a 20% decline in liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports. To mitigate these shortages, the administration of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has authorized the release of national oil reserves. However, the escalation of Brent crude prices from $70 to over $100 per barrel, compounded by the depreciation of the yen, has intensified imported inflation. The Japanese government reportedly intervened in the currency market with 10 trillion yen between late April and early May to stabilize the exchange rate.

與此同時，日本經濟面臨來自伊朗衝突的系統性壓力。霍爾木茲海峽的實質封閉導致石油進口金額減少50%，液化天然氣（LNG）進口下降20%。為緩解短缺，首相高市早苗政府已授權釋出國家石油儲備。然而，布倫特原油價格從70美元飆升至每桶超過100美元，加上日圓貶值，加劇了輸入性通貨膨脹。據報導，日本政府在4月下旬至5月初期間，投入10兆日圓干預貨幣市場以穩定匯率。

Parallel trends are evident in South Korea, where exports for the period of May 1-20 reached a record $52.7 billion, a 65% increase over the previous year. This growth was predominantly facilitated by a 202% increase in semiconductor exports, which now constitute 41.7% of the nation's total outbound shipments. While shipments to China, the U.S., and Vietnam exhibited substantial growth, automobile exports declined by 10.1%. The resulting trade surplus for this period was $11 billion.

韓國亦呈現平行趨勢，5月1日至20日的出口額達到紀錄性的527億美元，較去年增長65%。此成長主要得益於半導體出口增加202%，目前佔該國總出貨量的41.7%。儘管對中國、美國及越南的出貨量顯著成長，但汽車出口下降了10.1%。該期間的貿易盈餘為110億美元。

East Asian trade remains robust due to high-tech demand, although Japan continues to manage the economic volatility associated with energy insecurity and currency fluctuations.

由於高科技需求，東亞貿易依然強勁，儘管日本仍需應對與能源不安全及匯率波動相關的經濟波動。