Japan's trade surplus with the US fell 20% in December

Japan's trade surplus with the US narrowed for the sixth straight month in December. 

Imports spiked 23.9 percent on the year, led by aircraft and crude oil, while exports jumped a meager 1.6 percent. The net result is a 20.3 percent slide surplus to JPY 567.8 billion. 

Japan also reported its first full-year trade deficit since 2015, underscoring rising external pressure on the economy, according to Reuters.