Japan exports, imports surge on strong demand in China, US
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Japan has reported its exports rose 16 percent in November from a year earlier while imports jumped 17 percent.
Customs data released Monday showed the trade surplus slipping to 113.4 billion yen ($1 billion) on exports of 6.92 trillion yen ($61.4 billion). Imports totaled 6.81 trillion yen ($60.4 billion).
Exports to China surged 25 percent, helping drive a 20 percent increase in exports to all of Asia. Shipments to the U.S. were up 13 percent, while exports to Western Europe climbed 17 percent, led by a 27 percent jump in exports to Germany. A revival in export manufacturing is helping sustain Japan's recovery, with strongest growth in shipments of vehicles and machinery.
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Japan's imports have grown moderately, mainly thanks to limited increases in prices of oil and gas.