Tokyo, July 22 (Jiji Press)--Japan's customs-cleared trade deficit more than halved in the first half of this year as the country's oil imports from the Middle East decreased because of the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the Finance Ministry said Wednesday.

Japan has recorded a trade deficit in June, according to government data, as the higher price of oil imports has helped cause the second straight month of red ink.

Tokyo, July 22 (Jiji Press)--Japan's customs-cleared trade deficit more than halved in the first half of this year as the country's oil imports from the Middle East decreased…