TOKYO (AP) -- Japan's government says imports outpaced exports in January, resulting in the country's first trade deficit in 22 months.

Exports expanded by 1.4 percent to 4.971 trillion yen ($60 billion) in the weakest growth in more than a year, the finance ministry said Wednesday. Imports rose 12.4 percent to 5.442 trillion yen ($65.7 billion).

Japan has relied on growing demand in China and the rest of Asia to fuel its recovery. But shipments to the region underwhelmed in January. Exports to China rose just 1 percent, while those to Asia overall edged up 0.4 percent.