Japan posted a merchandise trade surplus of 113.642 billion yen in August, the Ministry of Finance said on Wednesday.
That beat forecasts for a surplus of 104.4 billion yen, although it was down from 418.8 billion yen in July.
Exports climbed 18.1 percent on year to 6.278 trillion yen, beating forecasts for a gain of 14.3 percent and up from 13.4 percent in the previous month.
Exports to Asia climbed 19.9 percent on year to 3.510 trillion yen, while exports to China alone advanced an annual 25.8 percent to 1.218 trillion yen.
Exports to the United States gained 21.8 percent on year to 1.183 trillion yen and exports to the European Union added an annual 13.7 percent to 671.783 billion yen.
Imports picked up an annual 15.2 percent to 6.164 trillion yen versus expectations for 11.6 percent and down from 16.3 a month earlier.
Imports from Asia jumped 15.2 percent on year to 2.995 trillion yen, while imports from China alone gained an annual 11.0 percent to 1.458 trillion yen.
Imports from the United States were up 5.7 percent to 648.748 billion yen, while imports from the European Union gained 12.3 percent to 756.342 billion yen.
The adjusted trade surplus was 367.3 billion yen, missing expectations for 404.7 billion yen and up from 363.1 billion yen in July.
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