Japan Posts $465.4-Million January Trade Surplus

TOKYO — Japan’s unadjusted balance of trade showed a surplus of $465.4 million in January compared with a deficit of $839 million in January, 1984, the Finance Ministry reported.

Japan’s unadjusted balance of trade has traditionally shown deficits in January because of seasonal factors. The ministry said this year’s surplus came because exports were up from a year earlier and imports were down.

Japan’s unadjusted trade surplus with the United States came to $1.9 billion in January, the ministry said, with exports rising 20.2% from a year earlier and imports up a more modest 2.5%.