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Tokyo  - Japan's trade surplus in September rose 472.3 per cent from a year before to 520.6 billion yen (5.7 billion dollars), the Ministry of Finance said in a preliminary report Thursday.

That was Japan's largest surplus since March 2008, supported by a steady recovery in exports. Japan has logged a trade surplus for eight straight months.

Exports came to 5.1 trillion yen, down 30.7 per cent from the previous year. Imports dropped 36.9 per cent to 4.5 trillion yen.

In trade with the United States, Japan's surplus shrank 33.8 per cent to 371.3 billion yen. Exports decreased 34.1 per cent to 833.3 billion yen, and imports declined 34.3 per cent to 462.1 billion yen.

In trade with mainland China, Japan posted a trade deficit for the third straight month, amounting to 66.9 billion yen. But it was far smaller than the previous year's deficit of 251.1 billion yen.

The trade surplus with the European Union plunged 64.3 percent to 132.34 billion yen.

Trade figures are measured on a customs-cleared basis before adjustment for seasonal factors. (dpa)