TOKYO, April 8 (Xinhua) -- Japan's current account surplus in February soared 48.4 percent from a year earlier to 4.06 trillion yen (about 27.5 billion U.S. dollars), hitting a record high for a single month, government data showed Tuesday.

The surplus in the current account balance, one of the widest gauges of international trade, marked a return to the black for the first time in two months and the highest figure since comparable data became available in 1985, driven by increased exports amid strong auto and semiconductor-related demand, the finance ministry said a preliminary report.

In goods trade, Japan had a surplus of 712.9 billion yen, a turnaround from a deficit of 298.3 billion yen last year, as exports climbed 10.4 percent to 9 trillion yen, led by growth in exports of automobiles and semiconductor manufacturing equipment, ministry data showed.

Imports, meanwhile, fell 1.9 percent to 8.29 trillion yen, down for the first time in three months, due to the decline in crude oil and coal purchases.

Among other key components, primary income, which includes returns from overseas investments, expanded by 10.9 percent from the year before to 3.88 trillion yen, the highest level for February, boosted by increased stock dividends and bond yields abroad. (1 yen equals 0.0068 U.S. dollars) Enditem

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