The customs-cleared trade surplus widened 51.8 percent in April from a year earlier to 926.7 billion yen for its sixth consecutive monthly gain, while exports to the United States fell as auto exports dropped amid an economic slowdown there, government data showed Thursday.
Exports expanded 8.3 percent to 6.64 trillion yen, the highest reading of any April and up for the 41st straight month, led by automobiles to Europe and Russia and steel to the rest of Asia, the Finance Ministry said in a preliminary report.
Imports increased 3.5 percent to 5.71 trillion yen, also the highest level of any April and up for the 38th straight month, due mainly to purchases of large aircraft from the United States and nonferrous metals.