Japan Exports Hit Record High

2026-04-22 00:14 By Farida Husna 1 min. read

Japan's exports rose 11.7% yoy to a record JPY 11,003.3 billion in March 2026, beating market forecasts of 11% and picking up from February’s 4.0% gain.

This marked the seventh straight month of export growth, boosted by stronger shipments to key trading partners including China (17.7%), Hong Kong (7.6%), Taiwan (27.1%), ASEAN (19.7%), the EU (18.2%), and India (8.5%).

Sales to the U.S.

rose 3.4%, marking the first rise in four months as headwinds linked to tariffs imposed by President Trump eased.

In contrast, shipments to Russia fell 9.4%, while exports to the Middle East plunged 45.9%, reflecting disruptions tied to the Iran war.

Sales expanded for all components, including transport equipment (3.4%), notably motor vehicles and car; machinery (7.1%), led by semicon machinery; electrical machinery (21.5%), boosted by chips and IC; others (18.1%), driven by scientific, optical instruments; manufactured goods (12.7%), owing to non-ferrous metals; and chemicals, particularly plastics.



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Japan Exports Hit Record High
Japan's exports rose 11.7% yoy to a record JPY 11,003.3 billion in March 2026, beating market forecasts of 11% and picking up from February’s 4.0% gain. This marked the seventh straight month of export growth, boosted by stronger shipments to key trading partners including China (17.7%), Hong Kong (7.6%), Taiwan (27.1%), ASEAN (19.7%), the EU (18.2%), and India (8.5%). Sales to the U.S. rose 3.4%, marking the first rise in four months as headwinds linked to tariffs imposed by President Trump eased. In contrast, shipments to Russia fell 9.4%, while exports to the Middle East plunged 45.9%, reflecting disruptions tied to the Iran war. Sales expanded for all components, including transport equipment (3.4%), notably motor vehicles and car; machinery (7.1%), led by semicon machinery; electrical machinery (21.5%), boosted by chips and IC; others (18.1%), driven by scientific, optical instruments; manufactured goods (12.7%), owing to non-ferrous metals; and chemicals, particularly plastics.
2026-04-22
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