TOKYO, May 27 (Reuters) - Japan's exports rose 40.4 percent in April from a year earlier, Ministry of Finance (MOF) said on Thursday, a sign that brisk demand particularly from Asia underpins an export-led recovery in the world's No.2 economy.
The gain in exports was above economists' median forecast for a 38.9 percent rise, and imports were up 24.2 percent, against a 23.0 percent increase expected.
Exports to Asia, which account for more than half of Japan's total exports, rose 45.3 percent from a year earlier, while shipments to European Union increased 19.8 percent.
Japanese policymakers are wary that Europe's debt crisis may be prolonged and hurt global economy, which in turn will hamper Japan's recovery if its key export destinations in emerging Asia take a hit.
The trade balance came to a surplus of 742.3 billion yen ($8.25 billion), compared with the median estimate for a 709.3 billion yen surplus and marking 13th straight months of gains.
Following is a table of the main figures. Economists' median forecasts are in parentheses: ---------------------------------------------------------------- (Unadjusted, mln yen, y/y)
APRIL YEAR AGO PCT CHANGE Overall balance +742,262 (+709,300) +48,988 +1415.2 (+1347.9) Exports +5,889,653 4,194,708 +40.4 (+38.9) Imports +5,147,391 4,145,720 +24.2 (+23.0) ---------------------------------------------------------------- To view full tables, go to the MOF website: http://www.customs.go.jp/toukei/shinbun/happyou_e.htm (Reporting by Rie Ishiguro)