Japan’s exports rise for 4th straight month, end Q1 on a strong note

The data released by the Japanese Ministry of Finance this Thursday morning showed the exports rose for the fourth straight month in March and the pace of expansion has been highest since January 2015.

Exports jumped 12% y/y, beating the estimate of 6.7%. Imports expanded 15.8% y/y, bettering the estimate of 10.4%. The rise in exports has been the quickest since March 2014.  The trade surplus stood at JPY 614.7 billion in March, compared to an estimate of JPY 608 billion.