Japan posted a customs-cleared trade surplus of 188.1 billion yen in January, turning around from a deficit of 95.7 billion yen a year earlier, the Finance Ministry said in a preliminary report released Monday.

It was the first time in 19 months that the nation's trade balance improved from the previous year's level.

Exports decreased 1.8 percent to 3.55 trillion yen, while imports fell 9.4 percent to 3.37 trillion yen, the ministry said.

Despite the improvement in the trade balance, a ministry official said it is necessary to keep a close eye on import and export developments.

"Exports have been falling both in terms of value and volume due to the slowdown in the world economy . . . while imports have been decreasing due to the sluggish demand for information technology products," the official said.

It is difficult to predict the future trend of the trade balance, the official added, because it is affected by such diverse factors as foreign-exchange rates, crude oil prices and domestic and overseas economic situations.

Exports of semiconductors and other electronics components were down 25.5 percent and those of optical equipment fell 28.5 percent.

Automobile exports increased 24.8 percent and steel exports rose 26.9 percent.

Imports of semiconductors and other electronics components fell 29.4 percent and those of crude oil declined 23 percent.

The yen averaged 131.00 to the dollar in January, down 12.1 percent from 115.19 a year earlier.

The politically sensitive trade surplus with the United States rose 14.9 percent to 524.8 billion yen, up for the first time in five months, with exports down 3.7 percent to 1.09 trillion yen and imports down 16.3 percent to 566.2 billion yen, it said.

Automobile exports to the U.S. surged 29.5 percent, reflecting the success of interest-free loan campaigns launched in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks as part of efforts to bolster sagging personal consumption.

Exports to the U.S. of semiconductors and other electronics components fell 55.2 percent, while those of office equipment dropped 21.4 percent.

Imports from the U.S. of office equipment fell 29 percent and those of semiconductors and other electronics parts decreased 26.6 percent.

The trade data are measured on a customs-cleared basis before adjustment for seasonal factors.

The surplus with the 15-member European Union fell 55.5 percent to 62.2 billion yen, down for the 17th consecutive month, with exports down 14.2 percent to 532.1 billion yen and imports down 2.2 percent to 469.8 billion yen.

The trade balance with the rest of Asia stood at a deficit of 45.5 billion yen, an improvement from a 183.9 billion yen deficit a year earlier.

It was the first time in 14 months that Japan's trade balance with other parts of Asia improved.

Exports rose 2 percent to 1.41 trillion yen, up for the first time in 10 months, while imports fell 7 percent to 1.46 trillion yen, marking the sixth consecutive month of decline.