Tokyo Nikkei 225 up 0.23% at 38,570 points (Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Tokyo , 19 Jun - Japanese shares closed slightly higher, rising for a second day amid mixed Asian markets.

Investors digested data showing that in May Japan posted a trade deficit of 1.22 trillion yen, down from the deficit of 1.38 trillion a year ago, according to data released by the Ministry of Finance.

Exports rose an annual 13.5% to 8.277 trillion yen as they were boosted by a weak yen, while imports increased an annual 9.5% to 9.498 trillion yen.

Sales volumes however shrank for a fourth straight month amid soft global demand.

Uncertainty about the Bank of Japan's policy path continued to keep sentiment in check, following recent signs of a rebound in Japanese inflation and improving wages.

Minutes of BoJ's April policy meeting showed policymakers debated the impact a weak yen could have on prices.

The central bank last week left interest rates unchanged as widely expected but unexpectedly signalled no near-term changes to its bond buying program. It said it will unveil a plan to start cutting bond purchases at its next meeting at the end of July.

The Bank of Japan hiked rates for the first time in 17 years in March, bringing them out of negative territory.

The Nikkei index closed up 0.23% at 38,570 points.

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(RADIOCOR) 19-06-24 08:42:07 (0163) 5 NNNN