TOKYO, Oct 21 (Reuters) – Japanese exports in September rose 16.7% year-on-year, up for a 13th straight month, data from the Ministry of Finance showed on Wednesday.
The result compared with a 20.1% increase expected by economists in a Reuters poll.
Imports grew 18.9% in September from a year earlier, versus a 19.6% increase expected by economists.
As a result, the trade balance stood at a deficit of 536.6 billion yen ($3.39 billion), compared with a forecast deficit of 181 billion yen.
($1 = 158.2600 yen)
(Reporting by Makiko Yamazaki; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)
