Japan exports drop 2.6% year/year in July

TOKYO, Aug 20(Reuters) - Japanese exports dropped 2.6% year-on-year in July, down for a third straight month, data from the Ministry of Finance showed on Wednesday.

The result compared with a 2.1% drop expected by economists in a Reuters poll.

Imports decreased 7.5% in July from a year earlier, versus a 10.4% drop expected by economists.

As a result, the trade balance stood at a deficit of 117.5 billion yen ($795.5 million), compared with the forecast of a surplus of 196.2 billion yen.

($1 = 147.7100 yen)