Japan’s trade balance swung back into the black in February as exports regained momentum, led by shipments to China, according to preliminary figures released by the Finance Ministry on Thursday.

However, the ministry warned of possible significant impacts on exports and imports from the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit the northeastern part of the country on March 11.

Many factories in a wide range of industries have been forced to stop production in the wake of the twin natural disasters.

From the Journal of Commerce