[TOKYO] Japan's exports rose 37.0 per cent in July from a year earlier, Ministry of Finance (MOF) data showed on Wednesday.

The rise compares with a 39.0 per cent increase expected by 18 economists in a Reuters poll, and follows growth of 48.6 per cent in June.

July imports rose 28.5 per cent year-on-year, versus the median estimate for a 35.1 per cent increase.

The trade balance came to a surplus of 441.0 billion yen (S$5.48 billion), versus the median estimate for a 202.3 billion yen surplus.

REUTERS