Tokyo, May 19, 2022, SPA -- Japan posted a merchandise trade deficit of 839.2 billion yen (6.5 billion dollars) in April, the country's Ministry of Finance said on Thursday, according to the dpa. The figures beat expectations for a shortfall of 1,150 billion yen following the 414.1 billion yen deficit in March (revised down from the original 412.4 billion yen deficit). Exports were up 12.5% on year to 8.076 trillion yen, shy of forecasts for an increase of 13.8% and slowing from 14.7% in the previous month. Imports jumped an annual 28.2%, missing expectations for a gain of 35.0% and down from 31.2% a month earlier. --SPA 10:38 LOCAL TIME 07:38 GMT 0007 www.spa.gov.sa/w1734423