TOKYO, Oct 22 (Reuters) – Japanese exports rose 4.2% year on year in September, marking the first increase in five months, data from the Ministry of Finance showed on Wednesday. The result compared with a 4.6% increase expected by economists in a Reuters poll. Imports grew 3.3% in September from a year earlier, versus a 0.6% increase expected by economists. The trade balance stood at a deficit of 234.6 billion yen ($1.56 billion), compared with the forecast for a surplus of 22.2 billion yen. ($1 = 150.7800 yen) (Reporting by Makiko Yamazaki; Editing by Himani Sarkar)
(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)