The nation posted a current account surplus of ¥20.20 trillion in fiscal 2016, the largest in nearly a decade, as imports fell more than exports on declining crude oil prices, government data showed Thursday.
The surplus expanded for the third straight year, as it was also buoyed by a record travel surplus of ¥1.28 trillion, thanks to a jump in foreign tourists numbers during the year through March.
Goods trade registered a surplus of ¥5.77 trillion after falling crude oil prices dented the value of imports, which fell 10.9 percent from a year ago to ¥64.89 trillion, while exports dropped 3.4 percent to ¥70.65 trillion, hurt by the yen's advance.