Japanese trade deficit almost doubles to hit record.

Japan's trade deficit nearly doubled to a new high of ¥11.5T ($113B) in 2013, pulled upwards by the weak yen and increasing energy imports because of a shutdown of the country's nuclear industry. Japan enjoyed surpluses for three decades, a trend that came to an end in 2011 after the Fukushima meltdown. "It's hard to anticipate when Japan can emerge from trade deficits at this point," says economist Takeshi Minami. High energy costs could discourage companies from having production centers in Japan "and undermine Abenomics."