Japan posted a current account surplus of 1.25 trillion yen in March, the Ministry of Finance said on Friday - holding in the green for the second straight month after three consecutive months of deficit.
The headline figure beat forecasts for a surplus of 1.22 trillion yen following the surplus of 637 billion yen in February.
The 4.3 percent annual decline also beat forecasts for a 5.7 percent contraction following the 47.0 percent plunge in the previous month.
The trade deficit came in at 219.9 billion yen, beating expectations for a deficit of 274.1 billion after showing a shortfall of 677.0 billion in the previous month.
Exports added an annual 0.3 percent to 6.067 trillion after showing 5.065 trillion in February. Imports were up 3.9 percent on year to 6.287 trillion yen after coming in at 5.742 trillion a month earlier.
The capital account saw a deficit of 86.5 billion yen, while the financial account had a shortfall of 775.8 billion yen.
The adjusted current account saw a surplus of 342.2 billion yen, missing expectations for a surplus of 480.8 billion yen after coming in at a deficit of 28.1 billion in the previous month.
The ministry also posted final numbers for fiscal year 2012, in which the current account surplus was 4.293 trillion yen - down 43.6 percent on year.
The trade deficit was 6.894 trillion yen, up 98.7 percent on year. Exports were down 1.7 percent on year to 61.570 trillion yen, while imports added an annual 3.6 percent to 68.465 trillion yen.
The capital account saw a deficit of 376.6 billion yen, while the financial account had a shortfall of 5.102 trillion yen.
Also on Friday, the Bank of Japan said that overall bank lending in Japan was up 2.1 percent on year in April, standing at 405.161 trillion yen. That follows the 1.9 percent annual increase in March.
Including trusts, bank lending was up 1.7 percent on year to 467.028 trillion yen following the revised 1.5 percent gain in the previous month.
Lending from foreign banks dipped 9.6 percent to 2.020 trillion yen following the 7.6 percent contraction a month earlier.
Upon the release of the data, the Japanese yen was little changed against major rivals, trading near 100.60 against the U.S. dollar, 155.46 against the pound, 106.01 against the Swiss franc and 131.16 versus the euro.
For comments and feedback: editorial@rttnews.com