Japan Posts Record Current Account Surplus for Half Year.

Japan: Japan has posted a record current account surplus for the first half of the fiscal year starting in April 2024. Businesses in the country saw bigger returns as investments overseas rose. According to Oman News Agency, the current account surplus for the April-to-September period was more than 15.8 trillion yen, or over 100 billion dollars, as reported by Japan's Finance Ministry. This figure marks an increase of 1.7 trillion yen, or over 11 billion dollars, from the previous year, 2023. It is also noted as the highest level for half of a fiscal year since comparable data was first made available in 1985. The current account reflects a country's earnings from trade and investment with the rest of the world. Notably, the primary income account also achieved a record high for half a fiscal year, reaching more than 22 trillion yen, or approximately 144 billion dollars. Japanese companies received greater dividends and interest payments amid the weak yen and higher interest rates in the US and other regio ns. Despite these gains, the trade balance recorded a deficit of 2.4 trillion yen, or over 15 billion dollars, primarily due to increased imports of computers and pharmaceutical products. In September alone, Japan posted a current account surplus of 1.7 trillion yen, or more than 11 billion dollars, marking the 20th consecutive month of surplus. However, this amount represents a decline of 8 billion dollars from the previous month.