Japan's trade balance was in the red for the fourth straight month in January, registering a record trade deficit of 952.6 billion yen (US$9.97 billion) in January, the finance ministry said Wednesday.

In a preliminary report, the ministry said that imports were down 31.7 percent to 4,435.2 billion yen (US$46.68 billion) while exports plunged 45.7 percent to 3,482.6 billion yen (US$36.65 billion).

In terms of regions, Japan's trade surplus with the United States, in particular, dived 75.3 percent.

The trade data, measured on a customs-cleared basis, have yet to be adjusted for seasonal factors.

(Xinhua News Agency February 25, 2009)