Japan's exports to the United States fell for the fifth consecutive month in August, with auto shipments posting a sharp 28.4-percent decline over U.S. tariff policies, government data showed on Wednesday.

The Japanese Finance Ministry said exports to the U.S. totaled 1.3855 trillion yen (about $9.5 billion) in August, down 13.8 percent year on year. Auto exports accounted for much of the drop, plunging by more than a quarter.

Meanwhile, imports from the U.S. rose 11.6 percent to 1.0615 trillion yen (about $7.2 billion), the first increase in seven months, boosted by higher aircraft purchases.

The country's total exports in August stood at 8.4252 trillion yen (about $57 billion), down 0.1 percent from a year earlier.

Trade balance showed a deficit of 242.5 billion yen (about $1.65 billion), marking the second straight month in the red.

(With input from Xinhua News Agency)