Japan posted a current account surplus of 612.7 billion yen in February, the Ministry of Finance said on Tuesday - turning positive after four straight months of deficit.
The headline figure was shy of forecasts for a surplus of 618.1 billion yen following the 1.589 trillion yen deficit in January.
The trade balance showed a deficit of 533.4 billion - beating expectations for a shortfall of 593.6 billion yen following the 2.345 trillion yen deficit in the previous month.
Exports were up 15.7 percent on year to 5.941 trillion yen after coming in at 5.516 trillion yen a month earlier.
Imports climbed an annual 14.1 percent to 6.474 trillion yen after showing 7.862 trillion yen in January.
The financial account showed a deficit of 731.9 billion yen after posting a 1.472 trillion yen shortfall in the previous month.
The capital account reflected a deficit of 4.2 billion yen after showing a shortfall of 5.8 billion yen a month earlier.
On an adjusted basis, the current account deficit was 41.7 billion yen - missing forecasts for a surplus of 24.7 billion yen following the 588.3 billion yen deficit in January.
For the fourth quarter of 2013, the current account deficit was 1.431 trillion yen. The trade deficit was 3.589 trillion yen as exports jumped 17.1 percent on year while imports climbed an annual 25.4 percent.
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