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TOKYO, April 20 (Reuters) - Japan's exports fell 2.2 percent in March from a year earlier, posting their first annual decline in 16 months, after an earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis battered factory output and crippled supply chains, Ministry of Finance data showed on Wednesday.
The fall in exports compared with a median forecast for a 1.5 percent annual decline and followed a 9.0 percent rise in the year to February. Automobile exports took a hit in particular, the data showed, underlining the extent of the damage wrought by the disaster on March 11.
Imports rose 11.9 percent in the year to March, more than a 6.0 percent rise expected and following a revised 10.0 percent increase in February. The trade balance was a surplus of 196.5 billion yen ($2.38 billion). That compared with the median forecast for a surplus of 493.6 billion yen.
Economists predict exports are likely to decline in coming months, which could push Japan's trade balance into a deficit as companies struggle with a shortage of electricity and parts needed to make their goods.
The cost of material damage alone from last month's quake and tsunami has been estimated at $300 billion, making it the world's most expensive natural disaster. About 14,000 people have been confirmed dead and tens of thousands made homeless.
Following is a table of the main figures. Economists' median forecasts are in parentheses:
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(Unadjusted, mln yen, y/y)
MARCH YEAR AGO PCT CHANGE
Overall balance +196,461 (+493,600) +931,935 -78.9
Exports 5,865,951 6,000,424 -2.2 (-1.5)
Imports 5,669,490 5,068,489 +11.9 (+6.0)
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To view full tables, go to the website of the Ministry of Finance at:
http://www.customs.go.jp/toukei/info/index_e.htm ($1 = 82.580 Japanese Yen) (Reporting by Tetsushi Kajimoto; Editing by Chris Gallagher)