<h1>Japan exports to U.S. drop 13.8% in August as elevated auto tariffs curb shipments despite recent tariff cuts</h1> Finance Ministry data show exports to the United States fell 13.8% in August year-on-year, the fifth consecutive monthly decline, driven mainly by reduced automobile and auto parts shipments following elevated U.S. tariffs; those duties were cut this week from 27.5% to 15% but remain above the previous 2.5% rate and the August figures reflect the earlier higher rates. Japan's overall exports slipped 0.1% while imports fell 5.2%; imports from the U.S. rose 11.6%, imports from China rose 2.1% and exports to China fell 0.5%. Sector moves included strong gains in food and ships for exports and in computers and aircraft for imports.