1st LD Writethru: Japan posts 9.92 bln dollars trade deficit in Jan.

Japan posts a goods trade deficit of 1,177.5 billion yen (9.92 billion U.S. dollars) in January, marking the 31st straight month of red ink, government data showed Thursday.

According to Japan's Finance Ministry, exports in the reporting period soared 17.0 percent to 6,144.7 billion yen, supported by expanding shipments to the United States and China, while imports dropped 9.0 percent to 7,322.2 billion yen, leaving a deficit of 1, 177.5 billion yen.

The data was down 57.9 percent from a year earlier, but remained in the red for the 31st consecutive month, the longest period since comparable data became available in January 1979.

Shipments to the United States increased 16.5 percent to 1,192. 7 billion yen, and imports declined 1.4 percent to 647.3 billion yen.

Exports to China climbed 20.8 percent to 1,041.9 billion yen, a record high for the month of January, and imports slid 6.9 percent to 1,778.3 billion yen.

Exports to the European Union, meanwhile, gained 7.4 percent to 656.3 billion yen, and imports decreased 3.1 percent to 678.5 billion yen. Endi