<br/>Japanese exports rose 45 per cent last month compared with the same month a year ago. Exports to Asia, which make up more than half of Japan's total exports, rose more than 55% in the same period. Car shipments to the US more than doubled, despite huge recent recalls by Toyota due to safety problems. Report says the results highlight the importance of Asia to Japan's recovery as exports has grown for the first time in 15 months in December, boosted by demand in Asia and China in particular. Japanese imports also went up, but the trade balance had a surplus of more than Dollar seven billion, which exceeded forecasts.