Japan exports rise 6.1% year/year in November

TOKYO, Dec 17 (Reuters) - Japanese exports rose 6.1% year-on-year in November, up for a third straight month, data from the Ministry of Finance showed on Wednesday.

The result compared with a 4.8% increase expected by economists in a Reuters poll.

Imports grew 1.3% in November from a year earlier, versus a 2.5% increase expected by economists.

As a result, the trade balance stood at a surplus of 322.3 billion yen ($2.08 billion), compared with the forecast of a surplus of 71.2 billion yen.

($1 = 154.7500 yen)