41.   Currency traders have gotten used to a declining Japanese trade surplus.

42.   Declines in the Japanese trade surplus help the dollar by leaving fewer dollars in the hands of Japanese exporters to sell for yen to bring profits home.

43.   Despite complaints from Washington about the rising Japanese trade surplus in the last few months, Japanese exports are getting less expensive.

44.   Discussions on tariff reductions for imported goods are the most pressing issue for Japan in China, a Japanese trade official said.

45.   Expansion in the Japanese trade surplus with the U.S. overshadowed recent signs of weakness in the Japanese economy that would otherwise sour investors on the yen.

46.   For more on Japanese trade, see TNI JAPAN TRD.

47.   If the Japanese trade surplus with the U.S. expands, that hurts the dollar because Japanese exporters have more dollars to sell for yen to bring profits home.

48.   Indeed, Rubin was careful to link his Friday warning to the possibility of a higher Japanese trade surplus.

49.   Investors are hesitant to alter their bond positions because under the Japanese trade settlement system, transactions completed starting today will be for delivery in January.

50.   It was also hurt by news of a rising Japanese trade surplus.