Japan recorded a trade surplus of ¥544.1 billion (US$3.84 billion) in March, surpassing economists’ expectations of ¥485.3 billion, according to data released by the Ministry of Finance on Thursday.
Exports rose 3.9% year-on-year, marking the sixth consecutive month of growth. Imports expanded 2% in March from a year earlier.
The positive trade balance was driven by steady export performance, despite both imports and exports coming in below market forecasts.