Japan posted its first trade surplus in six years in 2016 as imports slumped on falling energy prices, the Finance Ministry said Wednesday. The surplus stood at ¥4.07 trillion ($35.76 billion).
The value of imports tumbled 15.9 percent to ¥65.97 trillion as crude oil and liquefied natural gas imports slid. Exports dropped for the first time in four years, down 7.4 percent to ¥70.04 trillion, as shipments of iron, steel and cars decreased.
The trade balance improved drastically from a deficit of ¥2.79 trillion in 2015.