Japan's trade surplus with the US rose 4.7 percent in April

Japan logged a trade surplus of JPY 615.7 billion with the US in April - up 4.7 percent year-on-year as exports rose 4.3 percent year-on-year in April, faster than a 0.2 percent annual increase in March, according to Reuters. 

The rising trade surplus might make a potential target for US President Donald Trump's protectionist policies.

The overall trade surplus was JPY 626 billion - up 30.9 percent year-on-year, as exports rose 7.8 percent outpacing the 5.9 percent rise in imports.