22.05.201702:06:00UTC+00Japan Exports Post Fifth Month of Consecutive Gains

Japan's exports rose once more in April, continuing an upward trend for the fifth month in row, indicating that strong demand from abroad could sustain a stable economic recuperation.

According to finance ministry data, exports climbed 7.5 percent on-year in April, marginally below projections for 7.8 percent annual growth. The monthly data comes after a 12 percent surge in March.

Official government data also showed the country's trade surplus with the U.S. narrowed. It fell 4.2 percent in April year-on-year to 586.7 billion yen or $5.27 billion. Exports to the U.S. rose at an annualized rate of 2.6 percent in April, notching its third straight month of gains due to bigger shipments of automobiles and auto parts.

Exports increased 4.1 percent in April from a year earlier, posting the third month of gains and another sign that international demand is gaining steam.

Economists Japan's exports to continue its upward trajectory as they project imports to also increase as domestic output gains momentum.

The decline in Japan's trade surplus with the U.S. is seen to ease some pressure from the U.S. as it gives Trump less reason to criticize Japan's trade practices.