Japan's exports rose 27.7 percent in June over the same month a year earlier, according to a report released by the Ministry of Finance (MOF) on Monday.

The data revealed the trade surplus grew 41.1 percent to 687 billion yen (7.8 billion U.S. dollars), which was below the economists' expectations.

Exports for the January-June period totaled 33,096.81 billion yen (378.62 billion U.S. dollars), an annualized increase of 37.9 percent, said the report.

The figures are measured on a customs-cleared basis before adjustments for seasonal factors.

According to the ministry's data, exports to China were 22 percent higher year-on-year, while those to the United States rose 21.1 percent. Exports to Western Europe edged up 6.7 recent. However, shipments to France and Ireland were down in June from the same time a year earlier.