Japan’s trade openness has increased significantly in the last decades as the country is working towards market liberalization and the expansion of trade relations. However, despite the increasing number of bilateral agreements created with trading partners, the United States and China remain Japan's biggest export markets. In 2024, the United States received around ** percent of commodities leaving Japan. China followed with a **** percent share, with general and electrical machinery being major goods exported from Japan to the East Asian partner. What goods are leaving Japan? Japan exported commodities valued at around *** trillion Japanese yen in 2024. Transport equipment and machinery were the leading commodities leaving the country, driven by the prominence of domestic automotive and machinery brands in the global market. Motor vehicles are a long-standing pillar of the export market, with widely recognized brands like Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, and Toyota originating from Japan. Japan’s export position in the global market The demand for Japanese goods has been rising globally, pushed by the favorable impression of quality products among consumers and businesses. While Japan is not a heavily trade-dependent nation, the trade openness ratio jumped to an all-time high in 2022, as the sum of imports and exports constituted almost ** percent share of the gross domestic product. Commodity exports are the main segment in the trade accounts of the Japanese GDP, whereas service exports are a minor segment.

Japan receives almost **** of its commodity imports from Asia, as China remains a key trade partner. In 2024, commodities imported from China accounted for a **** percent share of imports on a value basis. The United States followed as the second-largest source of goods entering Japan, while it overtook China as the leading export partner in 2024. What goods are entering Japan? The country’s low energy self-sufficiency and lack of reserves makes ************* like *********, *********************, and **** a key import item. Another commodity group important to domestic manufacturers is electrical machinery, including semiconductors and communications devices. As Japan is home to prominent multinational corporations in the automotive, technology, and consumer electronics industries, semiconductors have become a strategic element to the country’s economic success. While the Japanese government plans to revive the domestic semiconductor industry through financial support, imports of integrated circuits from production areas like Taiwan and South Korea are needed to meet demand. Japan’s import position in the global market Japan’s current account of goods and services is characterized by a deficit as imports exceed exports. The country managed to shrink the deficit in the last decade, but it grew again since 2022. A jump in mineral fuel prices and the weakening of the yen compared to major currencies like the U.S. dollar and euro drove up import costs. Apart from China, major trade partners with whom Japan recorded a negative trade balance include mostly suppliers of ************* like *********, ************, and the ********************.

Japan's total Exports in 2024 were valued at US$707.39 Billion, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. Japan's main export partners were: the United States, China and South Korea. The top three export commodities were: Vehicles other than railway, tramway; Machinery, nuclear reactors, boilers and Electrical, electronic equipment. Total Imports were valued at US$742.67 Billion. In 2024, Japan had a trade deficit of US$35.28 Billion.

Throughout the early 20th century, Germany and Japan were both among the largest trading partners of the United States. Although the United States would declare war on Germany twice and on Japan once during this time, at which points trade would virtually cease, trade ties were fairly strong in the years without war. Values were highest in the 1920s, before global trade fell in the 1930s due to the impact of the Great Depression. All three countries were severely hit by the Depression, however the decline in trade was compounded by rising tensions between the U.S. and the new far-right governments of both Germany and Japan. After the war, U.S. investment in both nations increased significantly, helping with their post-war recovery and giving the U.S. a strong level of influence over its former adversaries - West Germany and Japan would then emerge as the two largest economies in their respective regions during the post-World War II economic boom.

Top Import Trading Partners of Japan with import value and Year on Year growth comparison

Japan recorded a trade deficit of 637.61 JPY Billion in May of 2025. This dataset provides - Japan Balance of Trade - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Japan's total Imports in 2024 were valued at US$742.67 Billion, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. Japan's main import partners were: China, the United States and Australia. The top three import commodities were: Mineral fuels, oils, distillation products; Electrical, electronic equipment and Machinery, nuclear reactors, boilers. Total Exports were valued at US$707.39 Billion. In 2024, Japan had a trade deficit of US$35.28 Billion.

In 2024, the total value of foreign trade in Japan reached almost 220 trillion Japanese yen. Trade reached a decade-high due to strong exports amid a weak yen. Japan’s trade openness ratio grew rapidly in the last decade as regulations were loosened to open domestic markets to foreign businesses. Trade commodities Durable goods such as electrical machinery, general machinery, and transport equipment are the main trade commodities in Japan. Machinery and motor vehicles are integral parts of the export market due to the global market positions of successful Japanese multinational manufacturers like Toyota Motor Corporation, Honda Motor Company, Ltd., and Komatsu Ltd. among others. Trade partners Japan's main trade partners are China and the United States, which between them receive more than a third of all goods exported from Japan. While the country records a surplus in its trade with the United States, the balance of trade with China is characterized by a deficit, as imports exceed the value of exports. However, to diversify its supply chain and broaden foreign distribution channels, the country entered into free trade agreements with neighboring nations and other Western partners.

Automobile Main Trading Partners: Exports: Japan: Others data was reported at 0.100 USD mn in 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 0.000 USD mn for 2017. Automobile Main Trading Partners: Exports: Japan: Others data is updated yearly, averaging 0.100 USD mn from Dec 2008 (Median) to 2018, with 8 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.500 USD mn in 2013 and a record low of 0.000 USD mn in 2017. Automobile Main Trading Partners: Exports: Japan: Others data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Association of Automobile Manufacturers. The data is categorized under Brazil Premium Database’s Automobile Sector – Table BR.RAE005: Automobile Main Trading Partners: Exports: Japan. Export data in value include assembled and knocked-down vehicles, agricultural and highway construction machinery, engines and components manufactured by ANFAVEA member companies.

Brazil Automobile Main Trading Partners: Imports: Japan: Vehicles data was reported at 176.700 USD mn in 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 114.300 USD mn for 2017. Brazil Automobile Main Trading Partners: Imports: Japan: Vehicles data is updated yearly, averaging 325.800 USD mn from Dec 2006 (Median) to 2018, with 13 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 647.900 USD mn in 2011 and a record low of 114.300 USD mn in 2017. Brazil Automobile Main Trading Partners: Imports: Japan: Vehicles data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Association of Automobile Manufacturers. The data is categorized under Brazil Premium Database’s Automobile Sector – Table BR.RAE012: Automobile Main Trading Partners: Imports: Japan. Export data in value include assembled and knocked-down vehicles, agricultural and highway construction machinery, engines and components manufactured by ANFAVEA member companies.

Brazil Automobile Main Trading Partners: Exports: Japan data was reported at 82.600 USD mn in 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 67.700 USD mn for 2017. Brazil Automobile Main Trading Partners: Exports: Japan data is updated yearly, averaging 80.300 USD mn from Dec 2006 (Median) to 2018, with 13 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 131.400 USD mn in 2014 and a record low of 20.200 USD mn in 2009. Brazil Automobile Main Trading Partners: Exports: Japan data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Association of Automobile Manufacturers. The data is categorized under Brazil Premium Database’s Automobile Sector – Table BR.RAE005: Automobile Main Trading Partners: Exports: Japan. Export data in value include assembled and knocked-down vehicles, agricultural and highway construction machinery, engines and components manufactured by ANFAVEA member companies.

Western Europe, U.S.A., British India, China, Taiwan, Korea, Overall Index

Canada Trade Balance: NAPCS: BOP: sa: Japan data was reported at 175.200 CAD mn in Sep 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of -43.600 CAD mn for Aug 2018. Canada Trade Balance: NAPCS: BOP: sa: Japan data is updated monthly, averaging -4.900 CAD mn from Jan 1988 (Median) to Sep 2018, with 369 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 607.000 CAD mn in Jul 1996 and a record low of -338.400 CAD mn in Sep 2002. Canada Trade Balance: NAPCS: BOP: sa: Japan data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Canada. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Canada – Table CA.JA002: Trade Balance: NAPCS 2007: Seasonally Adjusted (Discontinued). Changed from NAPCS 2007 to NAPCS 2017. Replacement series ID: 411686687

Brazil Automobile Main Trading Partners: Exports: Japan: Highway Construction Machinery data was reported at 31.600 USD mn in 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 25.600 USD mn for 2017. Brazil Automobile Main Trading Partners: Exports: Japan: Highway Construction Machinery data is updated yearly, averaging 25.600 USD mn from Dec 2006 (Median) to 2018, with 13 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 77.200 USD mn in 2014 and a record low of 7.100 USD mn in 2009. Brazil Automobile Main Trading Partners: Exports: Japan: Highway Construction Machinery data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Association of Automobile Manufacturers. The data is categorized under Brazil Premium Database’s Automobile Sector – Table BR.RAE005: Automobile Main Trading Partners: Exports: Japan. Export data in value include assembled and knocked-down vehicles, agricultural and highway construction machinery, engines and components manufactured by ANFAVEA member companies.

In 2024, Mexico was the top trading partner of the United States based on import value. In that year, U.S. imports from Mexico totaled to 505.85 billion U.S. dollars. China and Canada rounded out the top three as these countries continue to enjoy a close trading relationship under the United States-Mexico-Canada trade agreement. Germany and Japan were also high on the list, both providing the U.S. with over 140 billion dollars worth of imports in 2024.

The statistic shows China's foreign trade share with selected countries in 2013. China's share of German foreign trade (imports and exports) amounted to about 5.5 percent in 2013.

Main trade partners of China

China's trade pattern has been largely influenced by its overall comparative advantage in labor intensive goods. In 2013, China was by far the world's largest trade nation, surpassing even the United States in terms of total merchandise trade value. That year’s goods exports from China had amounted to approximately 2.2 trillion U.S. dollars, while imports of goods had ranged at approximately 1.95 trillion U.S. dollars. Over the past decades, China has gained a lot of importance in international trade as both production and trading economies all over the world have developed close ties to the red dragon.

In 2013, China accounted for approximately 15 percent of Japan's foreign trade, making China the main trade partner of Japan. Japan mainly exports electronic equipment and machines to China and imports manufactured goods such as clothing from China. However, this relation has suffered since 2012 due to a long-running territorial dispute.

China also has tight trade ties to the United States. In 2013, China was the United States' third largest export market after Canada and Mexico. During the past ten years, goods exported from the United States to China and vice versa have grown substantially. By 2015, the United States have turned into China's main export partner with a share of about 18 percent in total exports from China.

Exports: ISIC Division: fob: Japan: Extraction of Crude Petroleum & Natural Gas data was reported at 65.249 USD mn in Dec 2021. This records an increase from the previous number of 0.000 USD mn for Nov 2021. Exports: ISIC Division: fob: Japan: Extraction of Crude Petroleum & Natural Gas data is updated monthly, averaging 15.975 USD mn from Jun 2004 (Median) to Dec 2021, with 6 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 71.619 USD mn in May 2010 and a record low of 0.000 USD mn in Nov 2021. Exports: ISIC Division: fob: Japan: Extraction of Crude Petroleum & Natural Gas data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Special Secretariat for Foreign Trade and International Affairs. The data is categorized under Brazil Premium Database’s Foreign Trade – Table BR.ISIC: Main Trading Partners: Division: Exports: Value.

Brazil Imports: ISIC Section: Vol: Japan: Other Products data was reported at 9,474.000 kg in Mar 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 14,923.000 kg for Feb 2025. Brazil Imports: ISIC Section: Vol: Japan: Other Products data is updated monthly, averaging 11,468.000 kg from Jan 1997 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 339 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 51,218,799.000 kg in Mar 2014 and a record low of 1,573.000 kg in Jul 2019. Brazil Imports: ISIC Section: Vol: Japan: Other Products data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Special Secretariat for Foreign Trade and International Affairs. The data is categorized under Brazil Premium Database’s Foreign Trade – Table BR.ISIC: Main Trading Partners: Section: Imports: Volume.

Brazil Exports: ISIC Section: Vol: Japan: Manufacturing data was reported at 204,441,173.000 kg in Mar 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 165,774,355.000 kg for Feb 2025. Brazil Exports: ISIC Section: Vol: Japan: Manufacturing data is updated monthly, averaging 212,234,428.000 kg from Jan 1997 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 339 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 394,330,687.000 kg in Sep 2019 and a record low of 92,576,030.000 kg in May 2002. Brazil Exports: ISIC Section: Vol: Japan: Manufacturing data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Special Secretariat for Foreign Trade and International Affairs. The data is categorized under Brazil Premium Database’s Foreign Trade – Table BR.ISIC: Main Trading Partners: Section: Exports: Volume.

Exports: ISIC Section: fob: Japan: Mining & Quarrying data was reported at 37.959 USD mn in Mar 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 44.964 USD mn for Feb 2025. Exports: ISIC Section: fob: Japan: Mining & Quarrying data is updated monthly, averaging 88.348 USD mn from Jan 1997 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 339 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 509.626 USD mn in Oct 2011 and a record low of 0.765 USD mn in Feb 2024. Exports: ISIC Section: fob: Japan: Mining & Quarrying data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Special Secretariat for Foreign Trade and International Affairs. The data is categorized under Brazil Premium Database’s Foreign Trade – Table BR.ISIC: Main Trading Partners: Section: Exports: Value.