TOKYO (Oct 22): Japan's exports rose 6.9 percent in September from a year earlier, government data showed on Wednesday, in a tentative sign that external demand is starting
to pick up.
The rise compares with a 6.8 percent increase expected by economists in a Reuters poll. It followed a 1.3 percent year-on-year decline in August.
Imports rose 6.2 percent in the year to September, versus the median estimate of a 3.0 percent increase.
The trade balance came to a deficit of 958.3 billion yen ($8.96 billion), versus the median estimate of a 777.0 billion yen deficit.