The nation's current account surplus -- the broadest gauge of trade in goods and services -- fell 24.4 percent in April to 877.6 billion yen compared with the previous year, marking its fifth consecutive month in decline, the Finance Ministry said Wednesday in a preliminary report.
The shrinking trade surplus during the month amid a slowdown in the global economy was a primary factor in the drop, a ministry official said.
The decrease for April was the largest since the 59.7 percent plunge in January. But the official said it is difficult to determine whether five declining months in a row constitutes a trend for the current account surplus, as various factors are involved.