Japan posted a customs-cleared trade surplus of 188.1 billion yen in January, turning around from a deficit of 95.7 billion yen a year earlier, the Finance Ministry said in a preliminary report released Monday.
It was the first time in 19 months that the nation's trade balance improved from the previous year's level.
Exports decreased 1.8 percent to 3.55 trillion yen, while imports fell 9.4 percent to 3.37 trillion yen, the ministry said.