TOKYO, July 20 Reuters Japan39;s exports in June rose 1.5 from a year earlier, Ministry of Finance MOF data showed on Thursday.

The rise was less than a 2.2 gain expected by 15 economists in a Reuters poll. It followed a 0.6 rise in May.

Imports fell 12.9 yearonyear in June, versus the median estimate for an 11.3 decrease.

The trade balance came to a surplus of 43 billion yen 307.96 million, versus the median estimate for a 46.7 billion yen deficit. It was the first time in 23 months the trade balance has recorded a surplus.

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Reporting by Tetsushi Kajimoto; Editing by Jacqueline Wong

Source Reuters