Car sales have helped to increase Japan's trade balance, according to official figures.

The country's Ministry of Finance reported that its export surplus had seen a 35.2 per cent boost in May compared to the figure produced during the same month last year, with vehicle sales increasing to most regions of the world.

Vehicle exports were up by 27.7 per cent as a whole, with car exports up by an even greater margin of 28.8 per cent.

Exports of vehicles to the US market saw the most significant increase, up by 34.7 per cent on May 2005's figure, as consumers seemingly shy away from traditional big-engined US-made cars.

China also saw an eight per cent increase in the number of cars exported, as car ownership increases in the country that has a rapidly growing middle class.

It was the first time Japan has seen an increase in its export surplus for 17 months.

Ÿ Adfero Ltd