Japan trade balance rises in April

Japan posted a larger-than-expected trade surplus in April. Strong exports offset rising imports.

Exports to the U.S. and China remained robust. Export growth hit 14.8%, beating forecasts of 9.3%.

Imports rose 9.7%. Energy imports fell. Japan's oil and gas imports dropped in April.

The trade surplus reached 301.9 billion yen. It was lower than March's 643 billion yen surplus.