TOKYO, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Japan posted a current account surplus of 2.99 trillion yen (about 19.2 billion U.S. dollars) in July, returning to the black for the first time in two months, government data showed Tuesday.
The surplus increased 15.6 percent from a year earlier as the services deficit narrowed on improvements in travel and other businesses, while the primary income surplus rose on increased dividend receipts from overseas subsidiaries, data released by the Finance Ministry showed.
Primary income, which reflects earnings from Japan's overseas investments, rose 5.8 percent to 4.29 trillion yen.
Among other key components, the goods trade balance registered a deficit of 399.9 billion yen. Breaking it down, exports grew 24.1 percent to 11.26 trillion yen, while imports climbed 25.9 percent to 11.66 trillion yen.
The current account balance is one of the widest gauges of international trade. ■