Japan’s current account surplus grew 16.1% in fiscal 2007 through March 31 from the previous year to 24,550 billion yen, hitting a record high for the fifth straight year, aided by an increase in the income account surplus, the Finance Ministry said Wednesday.

The current account balance—the broadest gauge of trade—saw its surplus expand for the sixth straight year, reaching its highest level since comparable data became available in fiscal 1985, the ministry said in a preliminary report. The income account, net income from Japanese investments overseas, reached a new record-high surplus of 16,762.8 billion yen in fiscal 2007, up 17.6 percent from the previous year and marking the fifth straight year of growth.