Japan exports growing

Japan's export growth accelerated for the second straight month in December, offering an encouraging sign of stronger global demand.

Exports from the world's third-largest economy rose 13 per cent from a year earlier on greater shipments of machinery and motor vehicles, the Finance Ministry said yesterday.

The figure is an improvement from the 9.1 per cent year-on-year growth recorded in November.

On Tuesday, the central bank kept its key interest rate on hold at effectively zero and maintained its assessment of the economy.