11.   A day earlier, however, the Japanese released trade figures that showed its merchandise trade surplus with the U.S. fell in May.

12.   A declining surplus in the Japanese trade balance often bolsters the dollar.

13.   A Japanese foreign trade ministry official in a telephone interview from Tokyo said the retaliation talk is meant to go beyond short-term pressure tactics by Japan.

14.   A Japanese trade official said both sides will be monitoring the industry-led talks.

15.   A Japanese trade surplus leaves dollars and other currencies in the hands of Japanese exporters to sell for yen to bring profits home.

16.   A Japanese trade surplus means a surplus of dollars in the hands of Japanese exporters to sell for yen to bring profits home.

17.   A Japanese trade surplus means billions of dollars in the hands of Japanese exporters to sell for yen when they bring revenue home.

18.   A large Japanese trade surplus hurts the dollar, while a strong dollar hurts U.S. exporters by making their products more expensive in Japan and other markets.

19.   A day earlier, however, the Japanese released trade figures that showed its surplus with the U.S. fell in May.

20.   A rising Japanese trade surplus puts more dollars into the hands of Japanese exporters, who sell them for yen when returning revenue to Japan.