31.   A weaker yen would boost Japanese trade surplus by making Japanese exports less expensive abroad.

32.   A shrinking Japanese trade surplus means fewer dollars and other foreign currencies in the hands of Japanese exporters to sell for yen.

33.   A shrinking Japanese trade surplus often boosts the dollar by leaving fewer dollars in the hands of Japanese exporters to sell for yen to bring profits home.

34.   A smaller Japanese trade surplus often helps boost the U.S. currency by leaving fewer dollars in the hands of Japanese exporters to sell for yen to bring profits home.

35.   Accordingly, the administration sought to bar Western European trade with the Soviet Union and Japanese trade with China.

36.   Additionally, analysts caution that the Japanese trade numbers are based on a different set of calculations -- and often conflict with each other.

37.   But the Japanese trade officials who descended on this seaside city offered no specifics.

38.   But that deficit will be overshadowed by the spectacular jump in Japanese trade and investment in China.

39.   By the same token, though, fat and happy Americans seem all too ready to forget that dependence on the Japanese trade surplus is mutual.

40.   Clinton administration officials, including Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin, recently expressed concern the Japanese trade surplus with the U.S. may expand.