The weak yen has led to an average 5 percent decrease in the price of Japanese export products, dealing a blow to their Korean rivals’ competitiveness, data showed on Tuesday.

According to reports from CEIC Co. and Mirae Asset Securities, the Korean export unit cost during the five months from November to March fell just 0.5 percent.

Industry experts said if the yen depreciation continued, Korea’s major export items such as automobiles and steel products would lose their price competitiveness.

By Choi In-jeong (injeongchoi@heraldcorp.com)