Japan Export Growth at 4-Month Low

2026-03-18 00:36 By Farida Husna 1 min. read

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.



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.
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