TOKYO >> Japan’s economy contracted for the first time in more than a year during the July to September quarter, as tariffs imposed by the Trump administration began to weigh on the exports of one of the United States’ top trading partners.

The quarterly decline of 1.8% was the first year-over-year drop in growth in six quarters. Japanese exports fell 1.2% during the period, driven by a slump in automobile and parts shipments, a sector acutely affected by higher U.S. duties.

In July, Japan reached a trade agreement with the United States, which, in exchange for a pledge to invest $550 billion in the U.S. economy, resulted in a 15% blanket tariff on Japan’s exports — a rate lower than initially threatened but still damaging.

“Fifteen percent is better than expected, but this is going to

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