Japan's exports fell for the first time in 10 months in September, data showed on Thursday, a worry for policymakers as any prolonged weakness in global demand may complicate the central bank's path to exit years of ultra-easy monetary policy.

Japan’s exports declined for the first time in 10 months in September, sapping momentum from the country’s economic recovery as global demand weakened.

Japan’s trade balance shifted to a deficit of ¥294.24 billion in September, from a surplus of JPY 60.56 billion in the same month a year earlier. It was the third straight month of a trade gap, coming in worse than the market forecast of a shortfall of ¥237.