Japanese exports rose more than forecast in February, supporting the nation's emergence from a recession last year.
The value of overseas shipments rose 2.4 percent from a year earlier, the government said, compared with a median estimate for a 0.3 percent increase. Imports fell 3.6 percent, leaving a ¥424.6 billion ($3.5 billion) trade deficit.
Sales abroad are a growing bright spot in a country that's still struggling with weak spending by consumers and businesses at home. Falling oil prices are helping shrink the deficit, which swelled when the nation increased fossil-fuel purchases from abroad after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster prompted the shutdown Japan's nuclear reactors.