Japan's exports reach record high

Overall exports increased 13.9% from a year earlier to 7.5155 trillion yen ($68.9bn; £33.37bn).

China is set to overtake the US as Japan's biggest export market, with shipments to China rising by 19.2% in October alone.

Fears remain that a slowing US economy will affect Japan's economic recovery.

US dip

Japan's trade surplus rose 66.1% in October from a year earlier to 1.0186 trillion yen.

Exports to the US fell 1.5% from a year earlier as shipments of cars and construction machinery fell, hit by weakness in the US economy.

The US Federal Reserve has cut its forecast for 2008 economic growth to a range of 1.8% to 2.5% - due to tight credit markets and a weakness in the housing sector.

"There are worrying signs of a slowdown in US personal consumption," said Junko Sakuyama, an economist at Dai-Ichi Life Research Institute.

"If the US economic slowdown is prolonged, strong demand in Asia and emerging nations may not be enough to keep exports strong. While its presence may be diminished somewhat, the United States undoubtedly remains a huge consumer of goods," she added.

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