Japan’s exports increased in January thanks to higher demand for cars and semiconductor-manufacturing equipment, data from the Ministry of Finance showed Wednesday.
Exports rose 11.9% from a year earlier in January, compared with a 9.7% increase in December. The result was higher than a 9.4% rise expected by economists polled by data provider FactSet.
Exports to China grew 29.2%, led by shipments of chip-making machines and cars. Exports to the U.S. rose 15.6% on shipments of pharmaceuticals, autos and auto parts.