TOKYO (WAM)

Japan's overall exports rose by 13.5 per cent to JP¥8.28 trillion, the largest-ever for May, backed by robust auto shipments to the US and strong demand in China for chip-making machinery, data by the country's Finance Ministry showed Wednesday.

According to Kyodo News, imports also rose 9.5 per cent from a year earlier to ¥9.50 trillion.

Strong auto demand in the United States, a key trading partner for Japan, was positive for Japan's export-driven economy.

Japan had a trade surplus of ¥473.64 billion with the United States, up 10.9 per cent, according to the ministry.