JAPAN'S export products and service growth to United States grew 15.1 per cent to US$12.62 billion in June, the eighth consecutive month of growth while imports dropped for the first time in six months by 3.5 per cent to $6.27 billion.

The increase of exports to the US was attributed to autos and auto parts by value up 21.8 per cent and 57.7 per cent respectively compared to same month 2011 when the earthquake and tsunami damaged supply chains, decreasing exports 6.1 per cent.

The export surge increased Japan's trade surplus with US, its largest trading partner after China, for the fifth consecutive month widening it to 42.6 per cent to $6.25 billion.

In June, Japan's trade with the rest of the world saw a surplus of $781.01 million for the first time in four months, but overall for the six month period ending June it produced a deficit of $36.91 billion, still up 202.7 per cent from year previous.

Overall exports and imports were up 1.5 per cent and 7.4 per cent respectively compared to year previous. The import surge is attributed to LNG demand, an alternative to atomic power since the nuclear power plant crisis.