Japan’s current account surplus hits record high

Japan’s current account surplus in the April-September period reached 15,824.8 billion yen, the highest ever on half-year, data from the Ministry of Finance showed on Monday.

The primary income surplus in the first half of fiscal 2024 also hit a record high of 22,122.9 billion yen, reflecting higher foreign interest rates and a weaker yen. The primary income account mainly covers Japanese companies’ profits and interest income they receive from abroad, according to the Japanese news agency Jiji.

Japan’s goods trade deficit came to 2,414.8 billion yen, with exports rising 5 percent from a year earlier to 52,222.2 billion yen and imports rising 7.1 percent to 54,636.9 billion yen.