Japan's trade balance in October was in the black for the second consecutive month. 
The value of exports shrank, but an even bigger decline in imports kept the index in positive territory. 
Japan's Finance Ministry announced on Monday the surplus was about 4.5 billion dollars for last month, according to Japan's (NHK WORLD) radio. 
Exports were down 10.3% in yen terms from a year earlier. That's their 13th straight month of decline. 
Fewer automobiles were shipped to Europe. Declines were also seen for iron and steel products to the United States, Europe and Asia and communication equipment to China. 
The ministry said that imports shrank 16.5%. This was largely due to lower prices of crude oil and natural gas.