Tokyo  - Japan's current account surplus expanded 16.1 per cent in fiscal 2007 that ended in March to 24.55 trillion yen (236.01 billion dollars), the Finance Ministry said Wednesday.

The goods and services trade surplus rose 11 per cent to 9.09 trillion yen from the year before, the ministry's preliminary report said.

In goods trade, Japan's surplus rose 11.7 per cent to 11.71 trillion yen in the year through March 31, compared to the year before.

Exports grew 9.9 per cent to 80.95 trillion yen, and imports were also up 9.6 per cent to 69.24 trillion yen through March.

In March alone, the nation's current account surplus shrank 12.3 per cent to 2.88 trillion yen from the same month a year earlier, the ministry said.

The current account balance, which is the broadest gauge of trade in goods and services, shows the gap between a nation's income from foreign sources and foreign obligations payable, excluding net capital investment. (dpa)