Japan's trade surplus rose 17.9 per cent in 2004 from a year earlier to 12 trillion yen (115 billion dollars), with exports rising to a record high, the Finance Ministry said Wednesday. The trade data are measured on a customs-cleared basis before being adjusted for seasonal factors. Exports were up 12.2 per cent to 61.1 trillion yen, a record high, while imports were up 10.8 per cent to a record high of 49.1 trillion yen. Accordingly, for the first time ever Japan's total trade with China and Hong Kong topped that with the United States
