Measured in yen terms, the jump was 18 percent.
But in yen terms, the Japanese trade surplus has been quite stable.
Japan's trade with South Africa, the officials also pointed out, has been decreasing in yen terms, despite a small increase last year.
In yen terms, the dollar has not been this strong since June 28.
In yen terms, he said, that is a 32 percent increase.
In yen terms, they rose 8 percent - the first increase in 18 months.
Share prices ended 1990 38.7% down in yen terms.
He projected that even in yen terms, exports would increase by 1.4 percent.
But Japan's Parliament makes budget decisions in yen terms.
In yen terms, imports from Europe increased by 11.9 percent.