TOKYO, Jan 27 (Reuters) - Japan's exports rose 12.1 percent in December from a year earlier, Ministry of Finance data showed on Wednesday, more than economists' median forecast for a 7.6 percent rise.
Exports to Asia, which account for more than half of Japan's total exports, rose 31.2 percent from a year earlier.
The trade balance came to a surplus of 545.3 billion yen ($6.09 billion), below the median estimate for a 590.0 billion yen surplus.
Following is a table of the main figures. Economists' median forecasts are in parentheses: ------------------------------------------------------------ (Unadjusted, mln yen, y/y)
DECEMBER YEAR AGO PCT CHANGE Overall balance +545,318 (+590,000) -322,227 n/a Exports 5,412,830 4,830,483 +12.1 (+7.6) Imports 4,867,512 5,152,710 -5.5(-10.4) ------------------------------------------------------------ To view full tables, go to the Ministry of Finance website at: http://www.customs.go.jp/toukei/info/index_e.htm ($1=89.61 Yen) (Reporting by Hideyuki Sano)