Japan’s exports increased in May for the 15th consecutive month, driven by robust overseas demand for steel and mineral fuels, Ministry of Finance data showed Thursday.

Exports rose 15.8% in May from a year earlier, which was stronger than the 13.2% increase expected by economists surveyed by FactSet. Exports rose 12.5% in April.

Meanwhile, China-bound shipments fell for the second straight month in May, declining 0.2%, as lockdowns to contain the spread of Coronavirus cases in major cities such as Beijing and Shanghai dented economic activities.