Japan exports fall less than forecast; surplus down

TOKYO: Japan's exports fell for a fifth straight month in July, but the nation still managed to record a trade surplus as the economy gradually recovers from the March earthquake and tsunami, data showed Thursday.

Exports fell 3.3 percent from a year ago to 5.78 trillion yen ($75.4 billion), better than market expectation of a 4.4-percent fall, the Finance Ministry said.

Japan managed to see the second straight monthly trade surplus of 72.5 billion yen -- 90.8 percent lower than the same month last year but still slightly better than the market forecast of 70.1 billion yen.

Export-oriented manufacturers have continued to rebound after the March disasters disrupted supply chains, economists have said.

Analysts expect the Japanese economy to continue to strengthen in the months to come, fuelled by reconstruction demand.

Meanwhile, imports grew 9.9 percent to 5.71 trillion yen on rising energy prices, the ministry said.

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2011