TOKYO, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Japan's trade deficit in November shrank 85.5 percent from a year earlier to 117.62 billion yen (about 765 million U.S. dollars) as exports hit a record for the month, government data showed Wednesday.
The improved trade balance was driven chiefly by stronger-than-expected exports, which rose 3.8 percent to 9.15 trillion yen, up for the second consecutive month, according to preliminary trade data released by the Ministry of Finance.
Meanwhile, total imports dropped 3.8 percent from a year earlier to 9.27 trillion yen, the first fall in eight months.
By destination, Japan's trade surplus with the United States fell 17.2 percent from a year earlier to 664.03 billion yen, while the country logged a trade deficit of 210.19 billion yen with the European Union. (1 yen equals 0.0065 USD) ■