Japan's exports increased 16.7% yoy to JPY 10,972.3 billion in September 2026, below market consensus of 20.1%, but remaining above 15% for a 5th month amid robust demand for AI-related chips, semiconductors, and cars. Shipments grew to China (8.6%), the U.S. (22.9%), ASEAN (25.3%), the EU (10.5%), and Taiwan (37.8%), while falling to Hong Kong (-8.0%) and the Middle East (-12.0%). By category, exports rose across almost all major components. Electrical machinery surged 30.4%, driven by semiconductor and integrated circuit exports, while machinery rose 18.4%, led by semiconductor-related products. Transport equipment exports rose 10.8%, supported by motor vehicle shipments. Other exports grew 9.8%, boosted by scientific and optical instruments. Manufactured goods climbed 12.7%, led by iron and steel products, while chemicals rose 16.4%. AI-related demand should continue supporting exports, although a prolonged Middle East conflict could dampen global demand amid elevated energy prices. source: Ministry of Finance, Japan

Exports YoY in Japan decreased to 16.70 percent in September from 19.30 percent in August of 2026. Exports YoY in Japan averaged 7.90 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 November of 2026.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-09-15 11:50 PM
Exports YoY
Aug 19.3% 23.2% 18.2%
2026-10-20 11:50 PM
Exports YoY
Sep 16.7% 19.3% 20.1%
2026-11-17 11:50 PM
Exports YoY
Oct 16.7%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Balance of Trade -536.60 -1111.90 JPY Billion Sep 2026
Capital Flows 22124.00 17440.00 JPY Hundred Million Aug 2026
Current Account 4062.00 2988.90 JPY Billion Aug 2026
Exports 10972.25 10043.27 JPY Billion Sep 2026
Exports YoY 16.70 19.30 percent Sep 2026
Exports YoY 16.70 19.30 percent Sep 2026
External Debt 736125.87 761846.57 JPY Billion Jun 2026
Net Foreign Direct Investment -10164.00 26213.00 JPY Hundred Million Aug 2026
Imports 11508.81 11153.98 JPY Billion Sep 2026
Imports YoY 18.90 28.00 percent Sep 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
16.70 19.30 89.20 -49.40 1964 - 2026 percent Monthly
NSA

News Stream
Japan Export Growth Remains Strong
Japan's exports increased 16.7% yoy to JPY 10,972.3 billion in September 2026, below market consensus of 20.1%, but remaining above 15% for a 5th month amid robust demand for AI-related chips, semiconductors, and cars. Shipments grew to China (8.6%), the U.S. (22.9%), ASEAN (25.3%), the EU (10.5%), and Taiwan (37.8%), while falling to Hong Kong (-8.0%) and the Middle East (-12.0%). By category, exports rose across almost all major components. Electrical machinery surged 30.4%, driven by semiconductor and integrated circuit exports, while machinery rose 18.4%, led by semiconductor-related products. Transport equipment exports rose 10.8%, supported by motor vehicle shipments. Other exports grew 9.8%, boosted by scientific and optical instruments. Manufactured goods climbed 12.7%, led by iron and steel products, while chemicals rose 16.4%. AI-related demand should continue supporting exports, although a prolonged Middle East conflict could dampen global demand amid elevated energy prices.
2026-10-20
Japan Exports Rise More than Expected
Japan's exports rose 19.3% year-on-year to JPY 10,048.4 billion in August 2026, surpassing market consensus of 18.2% lifted by robust demand for AI-related chips and semiconductors. It was the 12th month of growth, despite risks from supply chain disruptions due to the Middle East conflict. Shipments grew to China (20.6%), the U.S. (24.9%), ASEAN (22.3%), the EU (11.0%), and Vietnam (8.8%), while exports fell to Hong Kong (-20.4%) and the Middle East. By category, exports increased across all major components, led by electrical machinery (31.5%), driven by stronger semiconductor and IC shipments. Transport equipment rose 7.2%, mainly on motor vehicles; other exports grew 17.7%, led by scientific and optical instruments. Machinery exports climbed 21.0%, led by semiconductor-making equipment; manufactured goods increased 18.5%, supported by iron and steel products; and chemicals rose 18.5%, largely on plastic materials.
2026-09-16
Japan Exports Notch Fresh Peak
Japan’s exports rose 23.2% year-on-year to a new record JPY 11,511.8 billion in July 2026, marking the strongest growth since October 2022 and exceeding market expectations of 19.9%. The increase followed a 19.3% rise in June, extending the growth streak to 11 straight months. Export growth was supported by a weaker yen and robust demand for AI-related semiconductors, despite risks of supply-chain disruptions stemming from the Middle East conflict. Shipments grew strongly to China (25.8%), the U.S. (22.0%), ASEAN (27.8%), the EU (19.1%), Vietnam (26.3%) and the Middle East (4.1%), while exports to Hong Kong fell (-7.9%). By category, exports rose across all major components, led by electrical machinery (29.4%), supported by stronger shipments of semiconductors and IC, followed by chemicals (22.9%), manufactured goods (20.5%), transport equipment (20.7%), machinery (18.4%) and other goods (19.7%). Within transport equipment, motor vehicle exports increased 19.5%.
2026-08-20


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