Japan’s Trade Surplus Continues to Rise: The...

Japan’s Trade Surplus Continues to Rise: The nation’s current account trade surplus rose 7.4% in August to $7.23 billion compared to a year earlier, the Finance Ministry said. The rise was smaller than July’s 25% advance, but the figures represent a 29th consecutive monthly increase in the broad measure of trade in goods and services and capital flow compared to year-earlier levels. The figures are not seasonally adjusted. Officials said the recent expansion of the surplus was due partly to the recession dampening demand for foreign goods and to the strong yen, which they said is slowing economic recovery and inflating the surplus in dollar terms.