Japan exports rise 11.4% y/y in February

TOKYO, March 19 (Reuters) - Japanese exports rose 11.4% year-on-year in February, up for a fifth straight month, data from the Ministry of Finance showed on Wednesday.

The result compared with a 12.1% increase expected by economists in a Reuters poll.

Imports decreased 0.7% in February from a year earlier, versus a 0.1% increase expected by economists.

As a result, the trade balance stood at a surplus of 584.5 billion yen ($3.91 billion), compared with the forecast for a surplus of 722.8 billion yen.

($1 = 149.3600 yen)