Japan's customs-cleared trade surplus in 2003 grew 3.6 percent from the previous year, the Finance Ministry said Monday.
The surplus -- exports minus imports -- stood at 10.24 trillion yen. It was the second consecutive annual increase, as a continuing trade surplus with other parts of Asia offset a slimmer surplus with the United States.
Exports grew 4.7 percent in 2003 to an all-time high of 54.56 trillion yen, expanding for the second year in a row.