Japan's trade deficit in the past fiscal year ending in March stood at 4.41 trillion yen (about 54. 19 billion U.S. dollars), marking the worst ever reading for the country, the Finance Ministry said Thursday.

A preliminary trade report released by the ministry showed the country posted a trade deficit of 82.6 billion yen in March alone, as it continued to import oil and gas to fight a power shortfall.

The record trade deficit was attributed to factors including the March 11 disasters, the massive flooding in Thailand and the appreciation of the yen in the past year.

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet