TOKYO -- Japan's exports grew in value terms for the fourth consecutive month in March, official data showed Wednesday, with semiconductor manufacturing equipment driving growth in China-bound shipments.

The country's total exports reached 9.46 trillion yen ($61 billion), up 7.3% from a year earlier, according to preliminary figures released by the Ministry of Finance. Total imports came in at 9.1 trillion yen, down 4.9%, resulting in a trade surplus for the first time in three months.