TOKYO (dpa-AFX) - Japan posted a current account surplus of 590.7 billion yen in May, the Ministry of Finance said on Friday, down an annual 51.7 percent.
That was significantly better than forecasts for a decline of 75.2 percent to 306.0 billion yen following the 69.5 percent contraction in April to 405.6 billion yen.
The trade balance showed a deficit of 772.7 billion yen, missing forecasts for a 764.0 billion yen shortfall following the 417.5 billion yen deficit in the previous month.
Exports declined 9.8 percent on year to 4.539 trillion yen, while imports jumped an annual 14.7 percent to 5.311 trillion yen.
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