Japan saw a strong pickup in exports last month as shipments to the US increased at a double-digit clip and those to China rose for the first time in 13 months. Exports rose 9.8% in December from a year earlier, the biggest jump in a year and reversing from a 0.2% dip in the previous month, the finance ministry reported Wednesday. Economists had forecast a 9.2% increase. The data will boost prospects for Japan’s economy returning to growth in the October-December quarter. Imports dropped 6.8%, compared with economists’ forecast of a 5.4% decrease. The trade balance flipped to a surplus of ¥62.1 billion ($419 million) ... (full story)