According to Amac News: Based on Japanese media outlet Kyodo News, the current account surplus, one of the broadest measures of international trade, grew 29.5 percent from the previous year, increasing for the second consecutive year. This is the highest amount since comparable data became available in 1985.
The Japanese Finance Ministry said in its report that primary income, which indicates Japan's income from overseas investments, increased 11.3 percent from the previous year to 40.21 trillion yen. The increase was due to higher returns from offshore subsidiaries in the financial, retail and automotive sectors.
Japan's primary income rose on the back of foreign direct investment by domestic companies and overseas dividend income.
The merchandise trade recorded a deficit of 3.90 trillion yen, down 40 percent, as exports rose 4.5 percent to 104.87 trillion yen, driven by strong demand for semiconductor equipment and vehicles.
Imports rose 1.8 percent to 108.77 trillion yen, driven by higher shipments of personal computers and non-ferrous metals.