TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's exports rose 9.3 percent in December from a year earlier, Ministry of Finance (MOF) data showed on Wednesday, underscoring a steady growth in external demand.
The rise compares with a 10.1 percent increase expected by economists in a Reuters poll. It followed a 16.2 percent gain in the previous month.
Imports rose 14.9 percent in December, versus the median estimate for a 12.3 percent annual increase.
The trade balance came to a surplus of 359.0 billion yen ($3.26 billion), versus the median estimate for a 530.0 billion yen surplus.
To view full tables, go to the MOF website: http://www.customs.go.jp/toukei/info/index_e.htm
($1 = 110.1400 yen)
(Reporting by Tetsushi Kajimoto; Editing by Chang-Ran Kim)
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