Japan export growth slows for fifth month in July

Japan's export growth slowed for the fifth straight month in July, the government said Wednesday, as the global economy loses momentum and a strong yen threatens to derail the country's recovery.

The value of exports climbed 23. 5 percent from a year earlier to 5.98 trillion yen ($71 billion), the Finance Ministry said. Exports expanded 27.7 percent in June and 32.1 percent in May.

Cooling global demand poses a major risk for Japan's export-driven recovery. With demand lackluster at home, the country has depended on high-growth countries like China to fuel the economy.

The latest figures come as the country faces the growing threat of a strong …