Aside from the effects of high oil prices, growth in imports in general can be interpreted as a sign that domestic demand is robust, another reason to say the Japanese economy is on the right track.

Imports on the other hand are up because of rises in oil prices. Still, on a volume basis exports are growing more than imports.

The healthy global economy is supporting export growth, as is the yen, which has been weaker than last year.

This year we have hit record highs for consolidated net sales, consolidated operating income and consolidated net income. These favorable results are due to a continued increase in domestic and overseas car production for Japanese auto manufacturers.

A surge of some 20 percent in exports in February reflects the booming global economy, one example of which is growth in vehicle exports to North America.

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