Japan's goods trade surplus came to ¥418.77 billion ($3.8 billion) in July thanks to solid growth in exports, but narrowed from a year ago on a in energy imports, government data showed Thursday.
The figure represents a 17.0 percent fall from the previous year. Exports gained 13.4 percent to ¥6.49 trillion while imports soared 16.3 percent to ¥6.08 trillion, according to the preliminary report issued by the Finance Ministry.
Strong exports of large cars and auto parts helped the nation report a double-digit increase in exports in July. Some economists have predicted the pace of growth will likely slow following solid gains in recent months.