Japanese exports get boost from Beijing

Trade cheer: Workers in action at a port in Japan. A weaker gain in the country’s outbound shipments in March doesn’t derail a solid trend that is likely to bolster gross domestic product in the first quarter via stronger net exports and capital investment. — Bloomberg

TOKYO: Japan’s exports grew for a fourth consecutive month as the weak yen provided a tailwind and demand in China picked up, giving the economy a needed boost as domestic consumption sags.

Exports gained 7.3% in March from a year earlier, with growth slightly decelerating from February’s 7.8% gain, the finance ministry reported. Economists had forecast a 7% increase. Imports fell 4.9%, compared with the consensus estimate of a 5.1% decline.