The nation's customs-cleared trade surplus in May jumped to 619.2 billion yen, up 714.9 percent from a year earlier, according to a preliminary report released Thursday by the Finance Ministry.

This marked the third consecutive month of growth, triggered by a worldwide recovery in production, the report says.

The politically sensitive trade surplus with the United States grew 33.7 percent, up for the second straight month, with exports to the U.S. showing their first increase in 14 months.