Japan logs record trade deficit in February

 Japan registered a goods trade deficit of 800.3 billion yen in February, a record for the month and up 3.5% from a year earlier, the government said Wednesday, amid a weaker yen and growing imports of fossil fuels after the Fukushima nuclear crisis, according to Japan’s (Kyodo) News Agency.The trade balance posted the 20th straight month of red ink, the longest period since comparable data became available in January 1979, Japan’s Finance Ministry said in a preliminary report, underscoring a sustained net outflow of money from the country.The value of imports rose 9.0% to 6,600.3 billion yen, up for the 16th consecutive month, with those of liquefied natural gas soaring 11.4% and liquefied petroleum gas 14.8%, the ministry said.