Data Insights

In summary, Japan's trade in May 2026 showed a decrease in both imports and exports month on month, with total imports at 9.89T JPY and exports at 9.5T JPY. Year on year, both imports and exports increased significantly, with imports rising to 9.89T JPY and exports to 9.5T JPY. The overall trade flow indicates a robust recovery in trade values compared to the previous year, despite the month-on-month declines.

In May 2026, Japan's total imports decreased by 333.22B JPY, reflecting a 0.03% decline from the previous month. The highest increases in imports were from the United Arab Emirates (106.62B JPY, 51.90%), the United States (97.42B JPY, 7.83%), and Italy (25.84B JPY, 16.34%). Conversely, the largest decreases were from China (-245.74B JPY, -9.47%), South Korea (-121.79B JPY, -21.93%), and Saudi Arabia (-58B JPY, -26.83%). For exports, there was a significant drop of 1.01T JPY, a 9.59% decrease. The top increases were from Panama (29.92B JPY, 60.54%), the United Arab Emirates (24.05B JPY, 31.55%), and Saudi Arabia (18.47B JPY, 54.39%). The largest declines were seen with the United States (-236.59B JPY, -12.25%), China (-123.1B JPY, -6.71%), and Chinese Taipei (-49.87B JPY, -5.66%).

Year on year, Japan's imports increased by 1.11T JPY, a 12.69% rise. The most significant growth came from China (283.42B JPY, 13.71%), the United States (278.37B JPY, 26.18%), and Chinese Taipei (164.89B JPY, 43.34%). However, imports from Saudi Arabia saw a decline of -127.56B JPY (-44.73%). For exports, there was a notable increase of 1.36T JPY, a 16.76% rise. The highest growth was from China (258.06B JPY, 17.90%), Chinese Taipei (228.37B JPY, 37.69%), and the United States (181.04B JPY, 11.96%). The largest declines were from the United Arab Emirates (-30.52B JPY, -23.33%), Kuwait (-18.25B JPY, -65.41%), and Qatar (-15.4B JPY, -79.60%).

In summary, Japan's trade in April 2026 showed a decline in both imports and exports on a month-on-month basis, with imports totaling 10.21 trillion JPY (down 142.98 billion JPY) and exports at 10.51 trillion JPY (down 474.62 billion JPY). Year-on-year, however, both imports and exports increased, with imports rising by 921.63 billion JPY and exports by 1.35 trillion JPY. The overall trade flow indicates a robust recovery compared to the previous year despite the recent month-on-month declines.

In April 2026, Japan's trade values showed a mixed performance. Imports totaled 10.21 trillion JPY, reflecting a decrease of 142.98 billion JPY (-1.38%) from the previous month. The top three countries for imports were China (2.6 trillion JPY, +290.72 billion JPY, +12.62%), South Korea (555.39 billion JPY, +76.2 billion JPY, +15.90%), and Canada (192.43 billion JPY, +40.03 billion JPY, +26.27%). Conversely, the bottom three were Saudi Arabia (214.5 billion JPY, -155.83 billion JPY, -42.08%), the United Arab Emirates (205.01 billion JPY, -143.71 billion JPY, -41.21%), and Australia (545.62 billion JPY, -83.01 billion JPY, -13.20%). Exports totaled 10.51 trillion JPY, down by 474.62 billion JPY (-4.32%). The leading export countries were Switzerland (130.82 billion JPY, +35.34 billion JPY, +37.01%), the Marshall Islands (42.52 billion JPY, +25.39 billion JPY, +147.83%), and Vietnam (305.14 billion JPY, +22.24 billion JPY, +7.87%). The lowest performers were China (1.82 trillion JPY, -135.25 billion JPY, -6.87%), South Korea (641.78 billion JPY, -69.75 billion JPY, -9.76%), and Singapore (272.35 billion JPY, -57.31 billion JPY, -17.36%).

Year on year, Japan's imports in April 2026 reached 10.21 trillion JPY, an increase of 921.63 billion JPY (+9.93%). The top five countries for imports were China (2.6 trillion JPY, +337.82 billion JPY, +15.00%), the United States (1.23 trillion JPY, +234.02 billion JPY, +23.39%), and South Korea (555.39 billion JPY, +208.84 billion JPY, +60.26%). The bottom three were the United Arab Emirates (205.01 billion JPY, -267.99 billion JPY, -56.66%), Saudi Arabia (214.5 billion JPY, -122.83 billion JPY, -36.38%), and Qatar (6.86 billion JPY, -117.23 billion JPY, -94.47%). Exports totaled 10.51 trillion JPY, reflecting an increase of 1.35 trillion JPY (+14.72%). The leading export countries were China (1.82 trillion JPY, +244.81 billion JPY, +15.13%), Chinese Taipei (884.12 billion JPY, +191.4 billion JPY, +27.66%), and the United States (1.93 trillion JPY, +161 billion JPY, +9.05%). The lowest performers were the United Arab Emirates (76.22 billion JPY, -51.73 billion JPY, -40.47%), Saudi Arabia (33.96 billion JPY, -35.25 billion JPY, -50.25%), and Kuwait (803 million JPY, -23.49 billion JPY, -96.69%).

In summary, Japan's trade values in March 2026 showed a robust increase in both imports and exports compared to the previous month and the same month last year. Total exports reached 10.98 trillion JPY, marking a 1.42 trillion JPY increase (14.86% MoM), while imports totaled 10.34 trillion JPY, up by 815.32 billion JPY (8.56% MoM). Year-on-year, exports increased by 1.13 trillion JPY (11.44%), and imports rose by 1.04 trillion JPY (11.19%). The trade balance reflects a positive trend despite the recent economic contraction news.

In March 2026, Japan's trade values showed significant month-on-month changes. Imports from the United States increased by 142.64 billion JPY (13.31%), while imports from South Korea surged by 122.27 billion JPY (34.32%). Chinese Taipei also saw a notable increase of 86.87 billion JPY (18.90%). On the downside, imports from China decreased by 35.41 billion JPY (-1.51%), and imports from Saudi Arabia fell by 26.03 billion JPY (-6.57%). In terms of exports, China led with an increase of 588.67 billion JPY (42.98%), followed by Chinese Taipei with 187.9 billion JPY (27.49%) and the United States with 187.46 billion JPY (10.66%). However, exports to the United Arab Emirates plummeted by 123.43 billion JPY (-58.27%). Overall, total exports rose by 1.42 trillion JPY (14.86%), while imports increased by 815.32 billion JPY (8.56%).

Year-on-year comparisons for March 2026 revealed that imports from China increased by 187.24 billion JPY (8.85%), and imports from the United States rose by 184.5 billion JPY (17.93%). Chinese Taipei also saw a significant increase of 131 billion JPY (31.54%). Conversely, imports from the United Arab Emirates decreased by 76.66 billion JPY (-18.05%). In exports, China again led with an increase of 294.34 billion JPY (17.67%), followed by Chinese Taipei with 185.64 billion JPY (27.06%) and the United Kingdom with 72.95 billion JPY (50.45%). However, exports to the United Arab Emirates fell by 79.67 billion JPY (-47.25%). Overall, total exports increased by 1.13 trillion JPY (11.44%), while imports rose by 1.04 trillion JPY (11.19%).

Overall, Japan's trade values showed a mixed performance in the latest analysis. Total imports saw a slight increase of 53.83B JPY (0.0052% MoM) but a decline of 258.31B JPY (-2.44% YoY). Exports, however, experienced a significant drop of 1.22T JPY (-11.74% MoM) but a notable increase of 1.32T JPY (16.78% YoY). The total trade flow indicates a challenging environment for exports, particularly with major partners like the United States and China, while imports from certain countries like Saudi Arabia and Chinese Taipei showed resilience.

In the month-on-month analysis, Japan's total imports increased slightly by 53.83B JPY, reflecting a modest growth of 0.0052%. The highest increases in imports were from China (2.63T JPY, +169.2B JPY, +6.87%), Saudi Arabia (534.63B JPY, +137.64B JPY, +34.67%), and Australia (627.9B JPY, +48.58B JPY, +8.39%). Conversely, the largest declines were seen from the United Arab Emirates (303.1B JPY, -178.8B JPY, -37.1%), Netherlands (30.28B JPY, -96.07B JPY, -76.03%), and Ireland (69.44B JPY, -56.56B JPY, -44.89%). For exports, there was a significant drop of 1.22T JPY, a decrease of 11.74%. The largest increases in exports were to Hong Kong (689.15B JPY, +54.24B JPY, +8.54%), Marshall Islands (45.45B JPY, +44.77B JPY, +65.76%), and Panama (70.04B JPY, +43B JPY, +1.59%). The largest declines were from the United States (1.46T JPY, -349.69B JPY, -19.31%), China (1.55T JPY, -260.48B JPY, -14.39%), and Chinese Taipei (710.56B JPY, -82.29B JPY, -10.32%).

In the year-on-year analysis, total imports decreased by 258.31B JPY, a decline of 2.44%. The most significant increases in imports were from Saudi Arabia (534.63B JPY, +103.02B JPY, +23.87%), Chinese Taipei (523.5B JPY, +84.13B JPY, +19.15%), and the United States (1.1T JPY, +36.74B JPY, +3.46%). The largest declines were from the United Arab Emirates (303.1B JPY, -172.88B JPY, -36.3%), Australia (627.9B JPY, -96.5B JPY, -13.21%), and Malaysia (275.12B JPY, -53.1B JPY, -16.2%). For exports, there was a notable increase of 1.32T JPY, a growth of 16.78%. The highest increases in exports were to China (1.55T JPY, +375.35B JPY, +31.97%), Hong Kong (689.15B JPY, +291.1B JPY, +73.13%), and Chinese Taipei (710.56B JPY, +185.46B JPY, +35.32%). The largest declines were from the United States (1.46T JPY, -78B JPY, -5.07%), Panama (70.04B JPY, -29.85B JPY, -29.88%), and Bahamas (10.52B JPY, -24.09B JPY, -69.59%).

Overall, Japan's total trade value for exports decreased by 57.25B (-0.59%) to 9.71T, while imports saw a more significant decline of 605.53B (-6.06%) to 9.39T. The month-on-month analysis indicates a challenging trade environment, particularly for imports, with notable declines from major trading partners. Year-on-year, while exports showed a modest increase, imports faced significant challenges, particularly from Australia and other regions.

In the month-on-month analysis, imports from Germany saw the highest increase with a trade value of 293.84B, reflecting a significant rise of 50.27B (20.64%). Saudi Arabia and Ireland followed closely with increases of 45.31B (16.21%) and 36.23B (54.65%) respectively. On the lower end, the United States experienced the largest drop in imports, decreasing by 147.74B (-12.06%), followed by the United Arab Emirates with a decrease of 104.24B (-23.27%) and China with a drop of 77.03B (-3.11%). For exports, the United States led with an increase of 62.93B (3.59%), followed by the United Kingdom with 46.86B (32.37%) and Singapore with 37.85B (15.01%). Conversely, China saw the largest decline in exports, down by 90.15B (-5.27%), followed by Australia with a decrease of 52.49B (-21.43%) and Liberia with a drop of 29.96B (-72.94%).

In the year-on-year analysis, imports from Chinese Taipei showed the most significant growth, increasing by 87.65B (22.94%), followed by the United States with an increase of 70.66B (7.02%) and China with 55.46B (2.36%). On the downside, Australia faced the largest decline in imports, down by 104.11B (-15.97%), followed by Brazil with a decrease of 44.61B (-32.22%) and Kuwait with a drop of 42.87B (-45.38%). For exports, the United States again led with a growth of 146.48B (8.77%), followed by Chinese Taipei with an increase of 101.34B (16.67%) and Hong Kong with 62.13B (11.36%). On the lower end, Australia saw a decline of 46.09B (-19.93%), followed by China with a decrease of 42.01B (-2.53%) and Saudi Arabia with a drop of 23.45B (-21.66%).

Overall, Japan's total trade value for the month increased to 19.76 trillion, with exports totaling 9.76 trillion (up by 351.69 billion, 3.74%) and imports at 10 trillion (up by 342.61 billion, 3.55%). Year-on-year, total trade value also saw an increase, with exports at 9.76 trillion (up by 337.95 billion, 3.58%) and imports at 10 trillion (up by 103.15 billion, 1.04%). The trade balance remains a critical focus as both imports and exports show positive growth trends.

In the month-on-month analysis, Japan's imports from the United States saw the highest increase with a trade value of 1.22 trillion, reflecting a value change of 142.92 billion, which is a 13.21% increase. China followed with 2.48 trillion in imports, increasing by 109.2 billion (4.61%). The United Arab Emirates also showed significant growth with 447.91 billion, up by 62.63 billion (16.26%). On the lower end, imports from Germany decreased by 66.46 billion (21.44%), with a total value of 243.57 billion. Indonesia and Ireland also saw declines of 53.33 billion (17.53%) and 44.58 billion (40.42%) respectively. In exports, the United States led with 1.75 trillion, increasing by 148.81 billion (9.27%). China followed closely with 1.71 trillion, up by 116.82 billion (7.3%). Australia also had a notable increase of 54.3 billion (28.49%) with a total export value of 244.82 billion. Conversely, Singapore experienced a decline of 38.11 billion (13.13%), with a total export value of 252.09 billion. Hong Kong and Panama also saw decreases of 36.66 billion (5.93%) and 21.54 billion (27.14%) respectively.

In the year-on-year analysis, imports from the United States increased by 213.41 billion (21.1%), totaling 1.22 trillion. Vietnam also saw a rise of 50.8 billion (13.87%) with a total of 417.11 billion. Chinese Taipei had a growth of 37.13 billion (9.19%) with a total of 440.05 billion. On the downside, imports from Saudi Arabia decreased by 88.17 billion (23.98%), totaling 279.5 billion. South Korea and Australia also saw declines of 46.76 billion (11.03%) and 45.52 billion (7.29%) respectively. In exports, Chinese Taipei led with a growth of 102.75 billion (17.65%), totaling 684.74 billion. Hong Kong followed with an increase of 93.73 billion (19.19%) at 581.81 billion. Vietnam also had a notable increase of 36.89 billion (16.36%) with a total of 261.9 billion. On the lower end, exports to South Korea decreased by 56.89 billion (8.89%), totaling 576.62 billion. The United States and Indonesia also saw declines of 56.25 billion (3.11%) and 25.65 billion (13.73%) respectively.