Japan’s exports rose 4.2% yoy to JPY 9,571.6 billion in February 2026, slowing sharply from a 16.8% surge in the previous month and marking the weakest growth since last October, amid softer demand from China and the U.S. Still, sales extended their growth streak to a sixth month, beating market forecasts of a 1.6% increase. Shipments were mainly higher to Hong Kong (32.3%), Taiwan (6.2%), ASEAN countries (5.1%), the EU (14.0%), India (22.4%), Australia (8.5%), Russia (65.9%), and the Middle East (27.1%). In contrast, shipments fell to China (-10.9%) and South Korea (-2.5%). Exports to the U.S. also slipped 8.0%, steeper than a 5.1% drop in January, due to weakness in automobiles, auto parts, and pharmaceuticals, reflecting headwinds from President Trump's tariffs on a wide range of Japanese goods. Economists expect export recovery to stay modest amid slowing global activity, with Middle East tensions and higher oil prices adding downside risks. source: Ministry of Finance, Japan

Exports YoY in Japan decreased to 4.20 percent in February from 16.80 percent in January of 2026. Exports YoY in Japan averaged 7.81 percent from 1964 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 89.20 percent in August of 1974 and a record low of -49.40 percent in February of 2009. This page includes a chart with historical data for Japan Exports YoY. Japan Exports YoY - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on April of 2026.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-02-17 11:50 PM
Exports YoY
Jan 16.8% 5.1% 12%
2026-03-17 11:50 PM
Exports YoY
Feb 4.2% 16.8% 1.6%
2026-04-19 11:50 PM
Exports YoY
Mar 4.2%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Balance of Trade 57.27 -1163.50 JPY Billion Feb 2026
Capital Flows -5175.00 7219.00 JPY Hundred Million Jan 2026
Current Account 941.60 728.80 JPY Billion Jan 2026
Exports 9571.58 9187.49 JPY Billion Feb 2026
Exports YoY 4.20 16.80 percent Feb 2026
Exports YoY 4.20 16.80 percent Feb 2026
External Debt 725809.01 697418.91 JPY Billion Dec 2025
Net Foreign Direct Investment 14595.00 11098.00 JPY Hundred Million Jan 2026
Imports 9514.31 10340.15 JPY Billion Feb 2026
Imports YoY 10.20 -2.60 percent Feb 2026


Japan Exports YoY
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. 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).
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
4.20 16.80 89.20 -49.40 1964 - 2026 percent Monthly
NSA

News Stream
Japan Export Growth at 4-Month Low
Japan’s exports rose 4.2% yoy to JPY 9,571.6 billion in February 2026, slowing sharply from a 16.8% surge in the previous month and marking the weakest growth since last October, amid softer demand from China and the U.S. Still, sales extended their growth streak to a sixth month, beating market forecasts of a 1.6% increase. Shipments were mainly higher to Hong Kong (32.3%), Taiwan (6.2%), ASEAN countries (5.1%), the EU (14.0%), India (22.4%), Australia (8.5%), Russia (65.9%), and the Middle East (27.1%). In contrast, shipments fell to China (-10.9%) and South Korea (-2.5%). Exports to the U.S. also slipped 8.0%, steeper than a 5.1% drop in January, due to weakness in automobiles, auto parts, and pharmaceuticals, reflecting headwinds from President Trump's tariffs on a wide range of Japanese goods. Economists expect export recovery to stay modest amid slowing global activity, with Middle East tensions and higher oil prices adding downside risks.
2026-03-18
Japan Export Growth at Over 3-Year High
Japan’s exports surged 16.8% year on year to JPY 9,187.5 billion, sharply picking up from a 5.1% growth in the previous month and marking the fastest pace since November 2022. The latest reading also exceeded market forecasts of 12%, boosted by robust demand ahead of the Lunar New Year from China (32%) and other Asian markets, including Hong Kong (73.1%), Taiwan (35.3%), South Korea (10.8%), ASEAN countries (9.3%), and Vietnam (30.6%). Sales also expanded to India (9.2%), Australia (9.6%), the EU (29.6%), Russia (53.4%), and Germany (30%). In contrast, shipments to the U.S. fell 5%, due to weakness in pharmaceuticals, metal processing machinery, and autos, following an 11.1% plunge in December. After a sharp hit from U.S. tariffs in Q3 2025, Japan’s exports have begun to recover following the September deal with Washington that imposed a uniform 15% tariff on most goods. Still, the rebound remains fragile amid lingering global uncertainty.
2026-02-18
Japan Exports Hit Record High in December
Japan’s exports climbed 5.1% year on year to a record JPY 10,411.5 billion in December 2025, extending gains for a fourth consecutive month. The increase was driven by robust year-end overseas demand and a weaker yen, while the overall impact of U.S. tariffs proved less severe than initially anticipated. Still, the latest result was below November's growth figure and market forecasts of 6.1%, as Japanese automakers continued to face a 15% tariff on their U.S.-bound shipments. Exports to the U.S. plunged 11.1% from a year earlier in December, weighed down by declines in cars, auto parts, and chip-making equipment, a sharp reversal from an 8.8% increase in November. Sales also fell to South Korea (-1.9%) and Australia (-10.2%). Meanwhile, exports grew to China (5.6%), Hong Kong (31.1%), Taiwan (20.7%), Vietnam (13.7%), the ASEAN countries (5.2%), the EU (2.6%), Russia (27.3%), the Middle East (18.8%), and South Africa (21.9%).
2026-01-22


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