Japan exports in September rebound after four straight months of declines, but miss estimates

Japanese exports in September snapped four months of declines, climbing 4.2% year on year, as shipments to Asia saw robust growth, partially offsetting the drop in exports to the U.S.

Exports, however, missed expectations of a 4.6% rise, according to median estimates in a Reuters poll of economists.

The world's fourth-largest economy saw imports increase 3.3% year on year, reversing course from the 5.2% decline in August and beating the 0.6% growth expected by the Reuters poll.

Japan's exports had fallen into negative territory as the country grappled with U.S. tariffs with its shipments of automobiles to the world's largest economy taking a huge hit. Tokyo in July clinched a trade deal with Washington, bringing down tariffs on its exports to the U.S. to 15% from the 25% initially proposed by President Donald Trump.

The data comes a day after the country got its first female prime minister in Sanae Takaichi, after months of political turmoil following electoral losses of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party under former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

Takaichi's stance of a loose momentary policy and massive fiscal stimulus is likely to weaken the yen, making Japan's exports more competitive and benefiting exporters — heavyweights on the benchmark Nikkei 225 that hit a record high on Tuesday.

Markets have priced in the so-called "Takaichi trade" since she took the helm of the LDP in September, which has seen the Nikkei rise to record highs and the yen weakening past the 150 mark.

However, the country's economy has seemed to hold up better than expected, with second quarter GDP being revised upward in September compared to advance estimates.

— This is breaking news, please check back for updates.