MNI DATA IMPACT: Japan Mar Exports -2.4% Y/Y; Imports +1.1% YY

--Japan Mar Exports -2.4% Y/Y Vs MNI median -2.7%

--Japan Mar Imports +1.1% Y/Y Vs MNI median +3.0%

--Japan Mar Surplus Y528.5 bln Vs MNI median Y350 bln

     TOKYO (MNI) - Japan's exports have posted a fourth straight drop but

imports have made a significant increase, data released Wednesday by the

Ministry of Finance showed.

     The key points from the data:

     --Japan's exports fell 2.4% year-on-year in March, greater than the 1.2%

drop recorded in February. This is the fourth straight monthly fall and comes in

above an MNI median economist forecast of a 2.7% decrease.

     --Imports rose by 1.1% year-on-year in March, up from February's -6.7% and 

marking the first year-on-year rise in three months. The rise came in lower than

MNI's median of 3.0% growth. 

     --March's trade surplus enlarged to Y528.5 billion from Y334.9 billion in

the previous month.

     --Exports to China slumped 9.4% from last month's 5.5%. Exports to the

European Union and the U.S., however, increased 7.3% and 4.4% respectively,

compared with the 2.5% and 2.0% increases reported in February. 

     --Imports from China jumped by 10.9% from -15.8% in February, while those

from the U.S. and the EU dropped 0.2% and 0.6% respectively.

--MNI Beijing Bureau; tel: +86 (10) 8532-5998; email: flora.guo@marketnews.com

--MNI Sydney Bureau; +61 405322399; email: lachlan.colquhoun.ext@marketnews.com

[TOPICS: MAJDS$,MAUDR$,MAUDS$,M$A$$$,M$J$$$,M$U$$$]