Japan's current account surplus grew 13 percent in March from the month a year earlier, for a ninth straight increase.

This is the fourth straight increase, a trend that is expected to continue into the next century.

Imports advanced 3.3 percent in December, to a new peak of $41.1 billion, the second straight large increase.

This would be the seventh straight quarterly increase after three declines.

The day's gain, slightly more than 1 percent, was the fourth straight increase.

In December imports rose by 3.3 percent, to a new peak of $41.1 billion, the second straight large increase.

It was the third straight increase and the highest level of construction activity since April.

Consumer spending rose 0.2 percent in January, a slight gain, but the third straight increase.

Japan's current account surplus grew 34 percent in November from the month a year ago, the fifth straight increase.

The surge was $10.41 billion for May, an annual rate of 15.1 percent, that represented the 14th straight monthly increase.