進口總值大升39.2％
Japan’s annual trade deficit soared to 19.97 trillion yen (US$155.27 billion) in 2022 as a direct result of higher energy and raw material costs combined with the depreciation of the yen.
日本2022年的貿易逆差飆升至19.97兆日圓（1552.7億美元），此為受到能源和原物料成本上漲加上日圓貶值直接影響的結果。
soar (v.)飆升、驟升depreciation (n.)貶值
According to recently released government data, this deficit is the largest ever recorded—surpassing 2014’s previous high of 12.82 trillion yen.
根據政府最近釋出的數據，此次的貿易逆差是有史以來最高的──超過之前在2014年創下的高點12.82兆日圓。
surpass (v.)超過、優於、勝過
Despite Japan’s record-high exports of 98.19 trillion yen in 2022, which grew 18.2% due to increased shipments of cars and steel, the overall value of imports also hit a record high of 118.16 trillion yen.
雖然日本在2022年的出口總值創下新高，達到98.19兆日圓，成長18.2％，其原因為汽車和鋼鐵出貨量增加，進口總值也創新高，來到118.16兆日圓。
despite (prep.)儘管shipment (n.)出貨量
This 39.2% jump has mainly been attributed to rising fuel costs.
進口總值大升39.2％主要歸因於原油價格上漲。
attribute…to… 把⋯⋯歸因於⋯⋯
In fact, both sides of this equation were affected by the war in Ukraine as “Japan joined Western nations in imposing economic sanctions on Russia,” resulting in a 29.8% decrease in exports to Russia, while the ongoing war increased the costs of energy and raw material which contributed to the high value of Japan’s imports.
事實上，進出口都受到烏克蘭戰爭的影響，因為「日本加入西方國家的行列對俄羅斯實行經濟制裁」，導致日本對俄羅斯出口減少29.8％，戰爭仍持續進行也提高了能源和原物料的成本，拉高了日本進口總額。
equation (n.)等式sanction (n.)制裁impose(lift) a sanction on 對……實施（解除）制裁ongoing (adj.)正在進行中的
The depreciation of the yen, which fell to its lowest value against the US dollar in over 30 years, also compounded Japan’s economic situation.
日圓兌美元下挫至30逾年以來新低，也加劇日本的經濟狀況。
compound (v.)使變嚴重
In 2022, the exchange rate averaged 130.77 yen per US dollar, showing a 19.5% increase over 2021’s rate.
在2022年，平均匯率為1美元兌130.77日圓，比2021年的匯率提高了19.5％。
While this did inflate the value of Japan’s exports, it also led to higher prices for imports paid by Japanese buyers.
雖然這拉高了日本出口總額，但也造成日本消費者必須支付較高的價格購買進口商品。
inflate (v.)使膨脹、提高（價格、成本等）
Although slow growth is predicted for the global economy in 2023, some economists expect that “commodity prices will return to pre-pandemic levels,” which could offer a reprieve for Japan’s economy.
雖然2023年全球經濟預計成長緩慢，有經濟學者預期「商品價格將回到疫情前水準」，這將暫時緩解日本的經濟。
commodity (n.)商品、貨物offer a reprieve 暫時解救、暫時緩解
However, 2022’s massive trade deficit underscores Japan’s inherent vulnerability as a resource-scarce country that is reliant on imports to meet domestic needs.
然而，2022年龐大的貿易逆差突顯出日本自身的弱點，亦即作為一個資源匱乏的國家，需要依賴進口以滿足國內需求。
inherent(adj.)內在的、內部的、固有的vulnerability (n.)脆弱性、弱點、漏洞be reliant on sth. 依賴～