【Skill 4】Understand whether a contribution is positive or negative
These expressions which follow items show that an item from a country or region made a positive contribution to the volume of exports or imports.
■ 19.1％
■ +19.1％
These expressions which follow items show that an item from a country or region made a negative contribution to the volume of exports or imports.
■ -1.47%
■ 1.47％減 (a 1.47% reduction)
Also, if a number showing the degree of contribution does not appear, 高 (high) or 大 (large) following による寄与 (the contribution by) or の寄与 (the contribution of) indicate positive contributions.
■ 米国向け輸出による寄与が圧倒的に高い。 (The contribution by exports to the U.S.A. is extremely high.)
Source: Website of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
（http://www.meti.go.jp/report/tsuhaku2016/2016honbun/i2110000.html）
■ 中東からの液化天然ガス輸入額増の寄与が大きい (The contribution of liquefied natural gas imports from the Middle East is large.)
Source: Website of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
（http://www.meti.go.jp/report/tsuhaku2013/2013honbun/i3320000.html）