Japan's Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama (centre) on Tuesday, Nov 24, 2009, visited the Ichigaya Centrer of the National Printing Bureau "to observe the Government Revitalization Unit scrutinizing public projects."

Japan reported today that exports rose in October with strong demand from China and other Asian economies. Exports fell at their slowest annual rate for a year, encouraging hopes that the economy will continue to recover from the severest recession since 1945.

In October, exports were down 23.2 per cent from a year earlier, compared with a 30.6 per cent drop in September, according to the Ministry of Finance. It was the lowest annual fall since since October 2008, when exports dipped 7.9 per cent.

Exports rose for the third straight month and increased by 2.5 per cent in October.

Imports dropped 35.6 per cent from a year earlier, the ministry said. The improvement in exports helped the trade surplus rise to ¥807.1 billion ($9.8 billion),

Shipments to Asia fell 15 per cent from a year earlier, falling from a 22.2 per cent dip in September.

Exports to China, Japan's biggest overseas customer, dropped 14.3 per cent, compared with a 13.8 per cent decline the previous month.

Sales to the US fell 27.6 per cent, down from September's 33.9 per cent decrease.

Exports to Europe dipped 29 per cent after plunging 38.6 per cent in the year to September.