Japan's exports grew 40.9 percent year-on-year in January to ¥4.902 trillion, the second straight monthly increase and a fresh sign that Asian demand remains robust, the Finance Ministry said Wednesday.

Imports rose for the first time since October 2008, up 8.6 percent to ¥4.817 trillion, the ministry said in a preliminary report, suggesting domestic demand may have finally picked up.

As a result, Japan posted a trade surplus of ¥85.20 billion, compared with a record deficit of ¥956.03 billion a year earlier, extending the black ink for the 12th consecutive month running.