Japan's trade deficit in the first half of fiscal 2013, namely April to September logged a record high of 4,989.2 billion yen (50.98 billion U.S. dollars), local media reported Monday.

In September, the trade balance came to a deficit of 932.1 billion yen, staying in the red for a record 15th consecutive month.

Exports in September increased 11.5 percent from a year earlier, while imports expanded 16.5 percent, the Finance Ministry said in a preliminary report. The figures were calculated on a customs-cleared basis.

(Source: Xinhuanet)