The trade deficit came in at 2 trillion yen ($14.8 billion) - the fourth month in a row it has hit that level or more.
Exports grew 20%, in line with estimates and also hitting a record, led by U.S. demand for cars and mining machinery.
"What caught my eye was continued weak exports to China," said Takayuki Miyajima, senior economist at Sony Financial Group.
Japan has logged a cumulative trade deficit this year of 18.5 trillion yen, more than the record annual 12.8 trillion yen trade deficit for 2014.
Exports to the United States rose 32.5%, EU-bound exports climbed 32% while exports to Asia (excluding China) grew 11.6%.