(Reuters photo)Japan posted a current account surplus of 20.20 trillion yen ($177 billion) in fiscal 2016, the largest since fiscal 2007, as imports fell more than exports on declining crude oil prices, government data showed Thursday. The current account surplus was the third largest since fiscal 1985, when comparable data became available. The value of crude oil imports slid 16.1% from a year ago and that of liquefied natural gas slumped 26.6%. As the country's current account surplus came mostly from a large surplus in primary income, the yen's moves from now will come into focus, Mr Suehiro of Mizuho said. In March alone, the country's current account surplus totalled 2.91 trillion yen, marking the 33rd straight month of black ink.

Source: Bangkok Post May 11, 2017 03:45 UTC