TOKYO, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Japan's exports rose 40.9 percent in January from a year earlier, Ministry of Finance data showed on Wednesday, slightly more than economists' median forecast for a 38.4 percent rise.
Exports to Asia, which account for more than half of Japan's total exports, jumped 68.1 percent from a year earlier.
The trade balance came to a surplus of 85.2 billion yen ($944.4 million), against the median estimate for a 108.5 billion yen deficit.
Following is a table of the main figures. Economists' median forecasts are in parentheses: -------------------------------------------------------------- (Unadjusted, mln yen, y/y)
JANUARY YEAR AGO PCT CHANGE Overall balance +85,202 (-108,500) -956,026 n/a Exports 4,902,403 3,480,403 +40.9(+38.4) Imports 4,817,201 4,436,429 +8.6(+12.0) -------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Rie Ishiguro; Editing by Hugh Lawson)