TOKYO (dpa-AFX) - Japan saw a current account surplus of 750.0 billion yen in April, the Ministry of Finance said Monday, surging by 100.8 percent on year.
That shattered forecasts for a surplus of 350.0 billion yen following the 1,251.2 billion yen surplus in March. It also blew away expectations for a more modest increase of 5.7 percent on year following the 4.3 percent contraction in the previous month.
The trade balance reflected a deficit of 818.8 billion yen, missing forecasts for a shortfall of 729.9 billion yen following the 219.9 billion yen deficit a month earlier.
Exports were up 2.7 percent on year, while imports spiked an annual 9.0 percent.
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