TOKYO, July 21 (Reuters) – Japanese exports rose 19.3% year-on-year in June, up for a 10th straight month, data from the Ministry of Finance showed on Wednesday.
The result compared with an 18.6% increase expected by economists in a Reuters poll.
Imports grew 25.4% in June from a year earlier, versus a 21% increase expected by economists.
As a result, the trade balance stood at a deficit of 406.9 billion yen ($2.49 billion), compared with the forecast of a deficit of 120 billion yen.
($1 = 163.2000 yen)
(Reporting by Makiko Yamazaki; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)
