Japan's current account surplus fell more than expected in June as exports continued to suffer in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami.
The surplus was 526.9bn yen ($6.7bn; �4.1bn) in June, a 50.2% plunge from a year earlier, the latest data showed.
However, figures showed the rate of decline in exports has been slowing, indicating a recovery in the sector.
Exports in June fell 1.1% from a year ago, compared with a 9.8% decline in May.
"Japan's exports are picking up rapidly after the quake and tsunami," said Masamichi Adachi of JP Morgan Securities in Tokyo.
"The surplus will start to rise as we enter the second half of the year," he added.
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