Japan Exports

Last Release

Mar 31, 2024

Actual

9,469.6

Units In

JPY Billion

8,249.2

Frequency

Monthly

Next Release

N/A

Time to Release

N/A

Highest	Lowest	Average	Date Range	Source
9,643.35 Dec 2023	105.08 Jan 1963	3,674.15 JPY Billion	1963-2024	N/A

Exports of high technology products have been the engine of Japan's economic growth since 1960. Exports account for around 19 percent of total GDP. In 2019 exports fell 5.6 percent from the previous year's record high amid global trade tensions. Main exports were: transport equipment (24 percent of total exports), with motor vehicles accounting for 16 percent; machinery (20 percent) on the back of power generating machine and semicon machinery; electrical machinery (17 percent), such as semiconductors, IC and electrical apparatus; chemicals (11 percent), mainly plastic materials and organic chemicals; and manufactured goods (11 percent), such as iron and steel products, nonferrous metals and manufactures of metals. Japan's main export partners were the US (20 percent), China (19 percent), the EU (12 percent) in particular Germany (3 percent), South Korea (7 percent), Taiwan (6 percent), Hong Kong (5 percent), and Thailand (4 percent).

Latest Updates

Exports from Japan rose by 9.4% yoy to JPY 7,184 billion in October 2021, less than market estimates of 9.9% and slowing from a 13.0% growth a month earlier. This was the weakest increase in overseas sales in eight months, ending double-digit growth in the previous seven months, amid softening global demand and persistent supply chain bottlenecks. Shipments of machinery grew 23.0%, lifted by semicon machinery (45.1%), and power-generating machines (2.4%); while those of electrical machinery rose 10.5%, led by semiconductors (15.1%). Also, there were rises in sales of others (17.8%); chemicals (18.0%); and manufactured goods (37.2%), led by iron and steel (80.1%). By contrast, exports of transport equipment fell 28.7%, weighed down by motor vehicles (-36.7%) and cars (-40.9%). Sales rose to China (9.5%), the US (0.4%), Hong Kong (11.3%), Taiwan (24.0%), South Korea (21.8%), Singapore (8.7%), and Germany (15.0%). In contrast, sales shrank to Vietnam (-3.2%), and Australia (-18.4%).