Reuters: Japan Exports:

 https://www.reuters.com/article/us-japan-economy-trade/japan-posts-record-run-of-export-declines-on-soft-u-s-china-demand-idUSKBN28Q030

Ideas:

I don't think any country can expect significant increases in exports over much of the next year until the pandemic comes under control and life in most countries can get back to some normalcy or more importantly a "new normal" that might represent some kind of pre-pandemic normal.

Factory output and broader economic activities shows just how much exports can play in the growth of an economy. Its not just the direct relationship with the companies that export, but all the interconnected businesses that are part of the a company's business.

Such as suppliers, small businesses, medium-sized businesses are all highly connected to a direct export company.

So if exports are down, it not only affects the direct export businesses but all of the business that are connected to the direct export companies.

Most likely a very good estimate that exports won't return to pre-virus levels until the middle of next year.

A countries export mix is very important. While there was an increase in the demand for Japanese cars in the US, there were declines in other areas such as aircraft equipment. 

So a country can never rely on just one main exports, such as in South Korea, sometimes might depend too much on semiconductor chips. If the semiconductor chip global markets declines, quite possible the demand for Korean cars might not be enough to offset the decline in semiconductors.

So, as much as possible, not depending on one or two major exports is better for an economy, which South Korea and Japan sometimes seems to do, or so it seems.

Even though China saw an improvement in the economy and an improvement related to the pandemic, doesn't mean exports to that country will get back to the pre-virus level any time soon.

But of course the increase in communication devices might show either there is demand for smartphones, tablets, notebook computers and so on due to the virus situation.

A decrease in imports can be attributed to a decrease in consumer demand, continuing logistics challenges, and challenges related to suppliers being able to actually make/produce products due to the virus situation in their home countries.

The idea of a new budget is definitely needed as the virus is not going away and there are many individuals, families, and businesses of all sizes that are not doing too well.

While the idea of investments in new industries might be needed and other countries talking about the same thing, so the idea of helping new and emerging businesses and industries is good, but at the same the there is still the need to help struggling industries such as the tourism industry, the airline industry and all the companies that might be involve in the services industry that seem to where the most damage is related to the pandemic.

While data might show the economy rebounded in the third quarter, its important to remember, and economy is a very complex organism, with many different parts.

While parts of the economy may have rebounded that doesn't mean all industries and businesses have rebounded equally, if at all.

So while its good that some businesses and industries rebounded that doesn't mean all businesses and industries have rebounded.

And even more importantly, even though some have rebounded doesn't mean that they are back to the pre-pandemic level. It might just be "they live to be in business for another day" as the virus situation continues.