TOKYO (AP) — Japan reports that its trade deficit widened to its largest level in five months in July, as exports slowed and imports fell by less than forecast.

The 268.1 billion yen ($2.2 billion) deficit reported Wednesday compared with a deficit of 70.5 billion yen ($566 million) in June. Exports rose 7.6 percent to 6.7 trillion yen ($53.5 billion) while imports fell 3.2 percent to 6.9 trillion yen ($55.7 billion).

Lower costs for imports of oil and gas have reduced Japan's trade deficit in recent months, and the deficit in July was 72 percent lower than the deficit a year earlier. However, imports have not fallen as much as expected, with weakness in the yen countering that trend.