A record trade surplus was reported by Japan.

Boosted by a record number of motor vehicles sold overseas, Japan logged a $29-billion trade surplus in the first half of fiscal 1985--its largest six-month surplus ever, according to Finance Ministry figures. Japan’s trade surplus with the United States was $36.8 billion last year and is predicted to top $47 billion this year. The Finance Ministry credited rising exports and declining imports for the $29.26-billion trade surplus registered in the April-to-September period this year.