Japan's current account surplus narrowed by
65.9 per cent in November to 581.2 billion yen (6.47 billion dollars), compared
to the same month a year before, as goods trade fell due to a slowdown in
exports, the Finance Ministry said Tuesday, dpa
reported.
The balance of goods and services trade reported a deficit of 184.2 billion yen
in November.
Japan reported a deficit of 93.4 billion yen in goods trade, down from a
surplus of 907.6 billion yen a year before. Exports fell 26.5 per cent to 5.06
trillion yen.
Imports shrank 13.7 per cent to 5.16 trillion yen.
In services trade, Japan saw a deficit of 90.8 billion yen, down 20.4 per cent,
as Japanese travelers spent less overseas.
The income surplus dropped 15.5 per cent from a year before to 844.7 billion
yen.
The current account balance shows the difference between a country's income
from foreign sources and foreign obligations payable, excluding net capital
investment. dpa cm jh