TOKYO, May 21 (NNN-NHK) – Japan’s exports in Apr, climbed 38 percent from a year ago, to book the largest increase in more than 10 years, amid continued recovery from the downside effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government said in a report yesterday.
According to the Finance Ministry, exports for the month stood at 7.18 trillion yen (65.97 billion U.S. dollars), marking the fastest pace of increase since Apr, 2010.
The advance in exports marked the second straight month of gains, and came on the heels of a 16.1 percent climb logged in Mar.
The ministry here said, the surge in exports in the reporting period were particularly boosted by robust shipments of semiconductors and related equipment to China, as well as, solid shipments of cars and auto parts to the United States.
Japan’s imports in the reporting period, meanwhile, grew 12.8 percent in Apr to 6.93 trillion yen (63.68 billion U.S. dollars).
Imports rose for a third successive month, the ministry said, and were helped by rising prices for crude oil. The increase in imports followed a revised 5.8 percent increase in Mar, the latest data showed.
As a result, the Apr trade balance booked a surplus of 255.32 billion yen (2.34 billion U.S. dollars), marking the the third straight month that the figure was in the black.– NNN-NHK
