February’s deficit was the eighth consecutive monthly trade shortfall, the longest stretch since 1980.
Japan's exports, a key driver of its growth, have dipped in seven of the past eight months.
Exports to China fell 15.8 percent as Asia’s largest economy celebrated the week-long Lunar New Year holiday in February, while shipments to Asia dropped 5.2 percent. Exports to the U.S. rose 5.7 percent, while those to the European Union fell 9.6 percent.