Japan’s exports surge 10% in December on strong demand for autos, revived trade with China

BANGKOK (AP) — Japan's exports surged almost 10% in December from a year earlier, helped by a revival in trade with China and strong demand for vehicles, machinery and computer chips. Imports fell almost 7%, leaving a trade surprise of 62 billion yen ($410 million), according to preliminary customs data released Wednesday. A weak Japanese yen has helped export manufacturers like Toyota, Honda and Sony, though it increases costs of imports of key commodities like oil and gas needed to fuel the world's third-largest economy. A decline in oil prices helped reduce the burden of energy imports in December, which…