Japan logged its first current account deficit in 13 years in January of 172.8 billion yen (US$1.8 billion), the Finance Ministry data showed on Monday.

It was the first current account deficit since January 1996, the government said.

Exports dived 46.3 percent from a year earlier to 3.282 trillion yen (US$33.8 billion), while imports tumbled 31. 7 percent to 4.127 trillion yen (US$42.54 billion), the ministry said.

The balance of trade in goods and services posted a deficit of 1,100.2 billion yen (US$11.3 billion), while the deficit in merchandise trade totaled 844.4 billion yen (US$8.7 billion).

(Xinhua News Agency March 9, 2009)