Japan’s exports surged nearly 12% in January in 2nd straight month of gains

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TOKYO (AP) — Japan's exports surged a stronger than expected nearly 12% in January, helped by robust demand for vehicles, auto parts and machinery. That helped the nation’s trade deficit shrink to 1.76 trillion yen ($12 billion), or about half of what it was a year earlier. Advertisement Imports, which have been declining on-month for nearly a year, declined 9.6% from the previous year, totaling 9 trillion yen ($60 billion). The biggest declines were for imports of oil, natural gas and iron ore, partly due to declines in prices, but also weak demand. Advertisement By region, exports to North America,...