Japan's exports to the United States fell by 1.8 percent year-on-year in April to 1.77 trillion yen ($12.3 billion), marking the first drop in four months.

According to preliminary trade statistics released Wednesday by Japan's Ministry of Finance, the value of automobile exports to the US dropped 4.8 percent from a year earlier to 513 billion yen. The effects of an additional 25 percent tariff on automobiles imposed by the US government may begin to show.

Despite the decrease in value, the volume of auto exports to the US rose 11.8 percent year-on-year to 125,817 units. This rise is attributed to a stronger yen and an increase in exports of lower-priced vehicles.

Meanwhile, steel exports to the US experienced a steep drop, with the value plunging 29 percent to 18 billion yen and shipment volume falling 20.3 percent.

The US imposed a 25 percent tariff on all steel and aluminum imports and a 10 percent baseline tariff on all countries.

Globally, Japan's trade balance for April showed a deficit for the first time in three months, amounting to 115.85 billion yen.

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