Japan exports rose 9.3 percent year-on-year in December

Japan Ministry of Finance reported a 9.3 percent year-on-year rise in exports in December, underscoring a steady growth in external demand. Markets were expecting export growth of 12.3 percent. Also, as per MOF, December exports amount was the biggest since September 2008. 

Meanwhile, imports rose 14.9 percent, beating the estimate of 12.3 percent. Therefore, the trade surprlus came-in at JPY 359 billion vs. JPY 530 billion expected and JPY 113.4 billion previous.