Japan says exports jump 40.9 percent in January

Japan says exports in January jumped 40.9 percent from a year earlier.

The finance ministry said Wednesday exports grew to 4.9 trillion yen ($54.4 billion), marking the second consecutive month of year-on-year rise.

Imports in January increased 8.6 percent to 4.8 trillion yen, resulting in a trade surplus of 85.2 billion yen in the month, the ministry said.

Asia-bound exports in January surged 68.1 percent year-on-year to 2.7 trillion yen.