TOKYO, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Japan's exports rose 14.4 percent in September from a year earlier, Ministry of Finance data showed on Monday, slowing for a seventh straight month as a strong yen and moderating overseas demand hurt export growth.
The rise was bigger than economists' median forecast of a 9.6 percent increase but slightly slower than a 15.5 percent increase the previous month.
Exports to Asia, which account for more than half of Japan's total exports, rose 14.3 percent from a year earlier, while shipments to China increased 10.3 percent.
The trade balance came to a surplus 797.0 billion yen ($9.80 billion), up 54.0 percent from a year earlier. That compared with the median estimate for a 714.0 billion yen surplus and a 37.9 percent annual rise.
Following is a table of the main figures. Economists' median forecasts are in parentheses: -------------------------------------------------------------- (Unadjusted, mln yen, y/y)
SEPTEMBER YEAR AGO PCT CHANGE Overall balance +797,008 (+714,000) 517,630 +54.0(+37.9) Exports 5,842,944 5,109,386 +14.4 (+9.6) Imports 5,045,936 4,591,756 +9.9 (+7.4) -------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Rie Ishiguro; Editing by Michael Watson)