TOKYO, Sept 27 (Reuters) - Japan's exports rose 15.8 percent in August from a year earlier, Ministry of Finance data showed on Monday, slowing for a sixth straight month as a strong yen and weaker overseas economies sap export growth.
The rise was smaller than the median market forecast for a 19.0 percent gain and slower than a 23.5 percent increase the previous month.
Exports to Asia, which account for more than half of Japan's total exports, rose 18.6 percent from a year earlier, while shipments to China increased 18.5 percent.
The trade balance came to a surplus of 103.2 billion yen ($1.23 billion), down 37.5 percent from a year earlier and marking the first decline in 15 months. That compared with the median estimate for a 238.4 billion yen surplus and a 44.3 percent rise.
Following is a table of the main figures. Economists' median forecasts are in parentheses: -------------------------------------------------------------- (Unadjusted, mln yen, y/y)
AUGUST YEAR AGO PCT CHANGE Overall balance +103,221 (+238,400) 165,218 -37.5 (+44.3) Exports 5,224,132 4,509,804 +15.8 (+19.0) Imports 5,120,911 4,344,586 +17.9 (+17.4) -------------------------------------------------------------- To view full tables, go to the website of the Ministry of Finance at:
http://www.customs.go.jp/toukei/info/index_e.htm (Reporting by Kaori Kaneko; Editing by Chris Gallagher)