Japan exports rise 4.2% y/y in September

TOKYO, Oct 22 (Reuters) - Japanese exports rose 4.2% year on year in September, marking the first increase in five months, data from the Ministry of Finance showed on Wednesday.

The result compared with a 4.6% increase expected by economists in a Reuters poll.

Imports grew 3.3% in September from a year earlier, versus a 0.6% increase expected by economists.

The trade balance stood at a deficit of 234.6 billion yen ($1.56 billion), compared with the forecast for a surplus of 22.2 billion yen.

($1 = 150.7800 yen)