Japan has posted a trade deficit for the first time in two months, with a weak yen making crude oil imports more expensive.
The Finance Ministry says the deficit stood at 462.5 billion yen, or almost three billion dollars, in April.
Total exports increased by 8.3 percent to nearly 9 trillion yen, or over 57 billion dollars. Shipments of automobiles to the United States and Europe, and chip-making machinery to Asia were especially robust.
Imports also grew by 8.3 percent to some 9.4 trillion yen, or about 60 billion dollars. The yen's slide against the dollar lifted the amount in yen terms, helping it exceed exports.