Exports grew by 9.1% compared with a year earlier, the finance ministry said, compared with 7.8% in October.

However, analysts remain concerned about the strength of Japan's economy.

Also on Wednesday, the government forecast economic growth of 1.5% next year, a sharp fall on the 3.1% it predicts for this year.

It also forecast that consumer prices will stop falling - they have been on a downward spiral for 20 consecutive months.

However, this would not mean the battle against deflation is over, the government said.

Deflation is particularly damaging to economic growth because it undermines consumer demand, as individuals tend to wait until prices fall further before making purchases.