Japan Export Beat Lifts Odds Economy Resumed Growth Last Quarter

  • Shipments to China return to growth first time in 13 months
  • Annual exports to US top those to China first time since 2019
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Japan’s exports rose at the fastest clip in a year last month, boosting the likelihood of the economy returning to growth in the October-December quarter.

Exports rose 9.8% in December from a year earlier, the biggest jump in a year and reversing from a 0.2% dip in the previous month, the finance ministry reported Wednesday. Economists had forecast a 9.2% increase. Shipments to the US gained at a double-digit clip and those to China rose for the first time in 13 months.