TOKYO: Japan posted a current account surplus of 3.91 trillion yen (about 24.4 billion U.S. dollars) in April, up 64.9 percent from a year earlier, official data showed on Monday. The widening surplus was driven by higher returns on overseas investments by Japanese financial institutions and trading houses, according to a preliminary report by the Japanese Finance Ministry.
Primary income, which reflects Japan’s earnings from overseas investments, rose 15.3 percent year-on-year to 4.21 trillion yen. Among other key components, the goods trade balance returned to surplus, recording a positive balance of 395.7 billion yen, compared with a deficit of 700 million yen a year earlier. In summary, exports rose 13.9 percent to 10.11 trillion yen, while imports rose 9.5 percent to 9.71 trillion yen.
Due to regional tensions and supply chain disruptions, Japan’s exports to the Middle East and imports from the region fell more than 55 percent in April from a year earlier, while the number of travelers from the region fell about 20 percent, Kyodo News reported, citing a ministry official.
Translated by Chook Bora
