Tokyo- Japan's current account surplus in February rose 2.9 per cent from a year before to 2.48 trillion yen (24.38 billion dollars) for its second increase in a row, thanks to growing investment income, the Finance Ministry said Thursday.

The surplus in goods and services trade, however, fell 13.8 per cent to 883.3 billion yen, the ministry said in a preliminary report.

Japan's surplus in its goods trade dropped 6.6 per cent to 1.04 trillion yen.

Exports were up 9 per cent to 6.67 trillion yen, and imports jumped 12.5 per cent to 5.63 trillion yen.

Japan's income account surplus, which measures income from investments and interest payments, rose 14.3 per cent to 1.68 trillion yen.

The current account balance, which is the broadest gauge of trade, shows the difference between a nation's income from foreign sources and foreign obligations payable, excluding net capital investment. (dpa)