Gains in Japan’s exports narrowed slightly in December to cap a year of robust increases, with the latest figures showing trade strength holding up more than expected despite the omicron wave that has swept the globe.

The value of the country's overseas shipments rose 17.5% from a year earlier, easing from 20.5% in November, as stellar increases in steel and chipmaking equipment slightly cooled, Finance Ministry data showed Thursday.

Economists had expected an increase of 15.9%. On a seasonally adjusted basis, exports fell 0.2% from the previous month.