The nation's current account surplus in fiscal 2000 decreased 4.5 percent from the previous term to 12.72 trillion yen, marking the second year of decline after a 16.7 percent fall was registered in fiscal 1999, according to preliminary figures released Monday by the Finance Ministry.
High oil prices during the 12 months between April 2000 and March became the primary factor that pushed up the value of imports, reducing the country's trade surplus, a ministry official said.
It is difficult, however, to determine a trend for the current account -- the broadest measure of trade -- because its components showed mixed results, the official said.
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