Japan exports rise 3.9% y/y in March

TOKYO, April 17 (Reuters) - Japanese exports rose 3.9% year-on-year in March, up for a sixth straight month, data from the Ministry of Finance showed on Thursday.

The result compared with a 4.5% increase expected by economists in a Reuters poll.

Imports grew 2% in March from a year earlier, versus a 3.1% increase expected by economists.

As a result, the trade balance stood at a surplus of 544.1 billion yen ($3.84 billion), compared with the forecast of a surplus of 485.3 billion yen.

($1 = 141.7700 yen)