1.   A declining surplus often helps the dollar by leaving fewer dollars in the hands of Japanese exporters to sell for yen when they bring profits home.

2.   A diminishing surplus helps the U.S. currency because it leaves fewer dollars in the hands of Japanese exporters to sell for yen when repatriating profits.

3.   A declining Japanese surplus helps the U.S. currency by leaving fewer dollars in the hands of Japanese exporters to sell for yen to bring profits home.

4.   A declining Japanese surplus often helps the dollar by leaving fewer dollars in the hands of Japanese exporters to sell for yen to bring profits home.

5.   A growing trade surplus helps the yen by putting more foreign currency into the hands of Japanese exporters, who sell the currency for yen when repatriating revenue.

6.   A Japanese surplus often helps the yen because it means Japanese exporters have a wealth of dollars and other currencies to sell for yen to bring profits home.

7.   A growing trade surplus helps the yen by putting more foreign currency into the hands of Japanese exporters who sell the currency for yen when repatriating revenue.

8.   A shrinking Japanese surplus helps the dollar because it means Japanese exporters have fewer dollars to convert to yen when repatriating revenue.

9.   A shrinking trade surplus helps the U.S. currency because it means fewer dollars in the hands of Japanese exporters, who sell them for yen when repatriating overseas profits.

10.   A smaller-than-expected surplus helps the U.S. currency because it leaves fewer dollars in the hand of Japanese exporters to sell for yen when repatriating profits.