Japan's exports grew in January for a 14th straight month thanks to shipments to China.

Ministry of Finance data shows exports grew 12.2 percent in January from a year earlier. That came after a 9.3 percent year-on-year gain in the previous month. Exports to China surged more than 30 percent, led by semiconductor production equipment, car engines and hybrid cars. Economists expect exports will continue to expand in the coming months. At the same time, analysts worry about a rising yen as well, given the US stance towards protectionism ahead of the mid-term elections later this year.