TOKYO, Dec 21 (Reuters) - Japan's exports fell 6.2 percent in November from a year earlier, Ministry of Finance data showed on Monday, slightly less than economists' median forecast for a 6.5 percent fall.
Exports to Asia, which account for more than half of Japan's total exports, rose 4.7 percent from a year earlier, posting the first annual rise since September last year.
The trade balance came to a surplus of 373.9 billion yen ($4.13 billion), more than the median estimate for a 344.5 billion yen surplus.
Following is a table of the main figures. Economists' median forecasts are in parentheses: -------------------------------------------------------------- (Unadjusted, mln yen, y/y)
NOVEMBER YEAR AGO PCT CHANGE Overall balance +373,925 (+344,500) -227,505 n/a Exports 4,991,667 5,323,503 -6.2 (-6.5) Imports 4,617,742 5,551,008 -16.8(-17.9) -------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Chris Gallagher)