TOKYO, Oct 19 (Reuters) - Japan’s exports fell 4.9% in September from a year earlier, Ministry of Finance data showed on Monday, dropping at a slower pace than in the previous month as pressure from the coronavirus pandemic eases. That compared with a 2.4% decline expected by economists in a Reuters poll and followed a 14.8% fall in August. Imports dropped 17.2% in the year to September, compared with the median estimate of an 21.4% decline. The trade balance came to a surplus of 675 billion yen ($6.40 billion), against the median estimate of a 989.8 billion yen surplus. For the poll story: To view the full tables, go to the MOF website at: here ($1 = 105.4300 yen) (Reporting by Daniel Leussink Editing by Chang-Ran Kim)