Summary The figures show strong growth in exports to the U.S., China and the rest of Asia.
TOKYO (AP) - Japan s trade deficit rose nearly 10 percent in May to 993.9 billion yen (nearly $10.5 billion) as rising costs for imports due to the cheaper yen matched a rebound in exports.
The Ministry of Finance reported Wednesday that exports rose 10.1 percent in May over a year earlier to 5.77 trillion yen ($60.7 billion) while imports also surged 10 percent, to 6.76 trillion yen ($71.1 billion). Japan s trade deficit in May 2012 was 907.93 billion yen.
A weakening in the yen s value has pushed up costs for imports of crude oil, natural gas and other commodities for this resource scarce nation, but the deficit in May was bigger than most economists estimates.
