Japan’s exports rose 11.5% in December from a year earlier while imports grew 20.6%, resulting in a trade deficit worth 1.45 trillion yen ($11.27 billion), Ministry of Finance data showed on Thursday.

The rises in shipments and imports compared with 10.1% and 22.4% year-on-year gains respectively expected by economists in a Reuters poll. The trade deficit compared with economists’ median estimates for 1.65 trillion yen.

For the whole of 2022, Japan logged a trade deficit of 19.971 trillion yen, the biggest amount on record going back to 1979.

To view full tables, go to the MOF website:

http://www.customs.go.jp/toukei/info/index_e.htm

($1 = 128.6100 yen)