Summary
- Exports
- $758.8billion
- Imports
- $720.9billion
- Trade balance
- +$37.9billion
Products
What it exports
Cars (15.5%) and microchips (6.9%) together make up 22.4% of its exports.
What it imports
Crude petroleum (10.1%) and natural gas and LPG (6.5%) together make up 16.6% of its imports.
Its products
Destinations and sources of its products that have their own page.
By Harmonized System chapter (96)
| Chapter | Exports | Imports |
|---|---|---|
| 87 · Vehicles | $164.9 billion | $22.8 billion |
| 84 · Mechanical machinery | $145.3 billion | $74.5 billion |
| 85 · Electrical and electronic equipment | $140.1 billion | $104.8 billion |
| 90 · Precision and medical instruments | $40.2 billion | $26.3 billion |
| 39 · Plastics | $29.9 billion | $17.4 billion |
| 72 · Iron and steel | $28.9 billion | $7.8 billion |
| 71 · Gems and precious metals | $24.8 billion | $15.1 billion |
| 30 · Pharmaceuticals | $16.4 billion | $29.6 billion |
| 29 · Organic chemicals | $15.2 billion | $14.3 billion |
| 38 · Miscellaneous chemicals | $14.3 billion | $5.1 billion |
| 74 · Copper | $14.1 billion | $3.4 billion |
| 40 · Rubber | $11.5 billion | $4.7 billion |
| 73 · Iron and steel products | $11.5 billion | $7.1 billion |
| 89 · Ships and boats | $9.7 billion | $862 million |
| 27 · Oil, gas and coal | $9.3 billion | $165.2 billion |
| 28 · Inorganic chemicals | $6.7 billion | $7 billion |
| 37 · Photographic goods | $6 billion | $279 million |
| 32 · Dyes, paints and tanning agents | $5.4 billion | $1.2 billion |
| 33 · Perfumes and cosmetics | $5 billion | $3.8 billion |
| 95 · Toys and sports gear | $3.6 billion | $6.6 billion |
| 82 · Tools and cutlery | $3.4 billion | $1.4 billion |
| 70 · Glass | $3.2 billion | $2 billion |
| 48 · Paper and paperboard | $3 billion | $2.9 billion |
| 34 · Soap and cleaning products | $3 billion | $1.2 billion |
| 76 · Aluminum | $3 billion | $8.1 billion |
| 88 · Aircraft and spacecraft | $2.8 billion | $6.1 billion |
| 68 · Stone, plaster and cement articles | $2.2 billion | $1.2 billion |
| 54 · Synthetic filaments | $1.9 billion | $854 million |
| 96 · Other manufactured goods | $1.8 billion | $1.2 billion |
| 69 · Ceramics | $1.8 billion | $1.1 billion |
| 03 · Fish and seafood | $1.7 billion | $8.8 billion |
| 21 · Food preparations | $1.7 billion | $1.7 billion |
| 55 · Synthetic staple fibers | $1.6 billion | $506 million |
| 91 · Watches and clocks | $1.6 billion | $3.6 billion |
| 75 · Nickel | $1.5 billion | $3.3 billion |
| 81 · Other base metals | $1.5 billion | $1.4 billion |
| 22 · Beverages and spirits | $1.4 billion | $3.7 billion |
| 83 · Miscellaneous metal goods | $1.3 billion | $1.5 billion |
| 56 · Felt, nonwovens and rope | $1.3 billion | $1.1 billion |
| 35 · Glues, starches and enzymes | $1.2 billion | $1.4 billion |
| 94 · Furniture and lighting | $999 million | $7.8 billion |
| 59 · Coated and technical textiles | $872 million | $488 million |
| 25 · Salt, stone and cement | $845 million | $1.5 billion |
| 19 · Baked goods and cereal products | $788 million | $1.5 billion |
| 97 · Art and antiques | $755 million | $590 million |
| 86 · Railway equipment | $725 million | $312 million |
| 47 · Wood pulp | $709 million | $1.1 billion |
| 92 · Musical instruments | $615 million | $494 million |
| 62 · Woven clothing | $527 million | $10.8 billion |
| 79 · Zinc | $504 million | $115 million |
| 26 · Ores and slag | $502 million | $27.8 billion |
| 60 · Knitted fabric | $455 million | $105 million |
| 16 · Prepared meat and fish | $442 million | $6.3 billion |
| 02 · Meat and offal | $439 million | $10.1 billion |
| 61 · Knitted clothing | $433 million | $11.9 billion |
| 15 · Fats and oils | $412 million | $2.1 billion |
| 44 · Wood | $403 million | $9.3 billion |
| 49 · Books and printed matter | $389 million | $502 million |
| 09 · Coffee, tea and spices | $313 million | $2.3 billion |
| 63 · Home textiles and used clothing | $306 million | $3.7 billion |
| 08 · Fruit and nuts | $291 million | $3.1 billion |
| 52 · Cotton | $284 million | $374 million |
| 20 · Preserved fruit and vegetables | $247 million | $4.4 billion |
| 93 · Weapons and ammunition | $236 million | $490 million |
| 42 · Leather goods and bags | $213 million | $6 billion |
| 65 · Hats | $207 million | $634 million |
| 17 · Sugar and sweets | $204 million | $1.1 billion |
| 23 · Animal feed and food waste | $195 million | $2.9 billion |
| 78 · Lead | $188 million | $73 million |
| 80 · Tin | $186 million | $632 million |
| 58 · Special fabrics and lace | $174 million | $140 million |
| 31 · Fertilizers | $174 million | $738 million |
| 24 · Tobacco | $165 million | $4.2 billion |
| 12 · Oilseeds and grains | $133 million | $4.7 billion |
| 64 · Footwear | $123 million | $4.9 billion |
| 04 · Dairy, eggs and honey | $115 million | $2 billion |
| 11 · Milling products and malt | $114 million | $640 million |
| 51 · Wool | $110 million | $221 million |
| 41 · Hides and leather | $106 million | $175 million |
| 10 · Cereals | $96 million | $6.5 billion |
| 18 · Cocoa and chocolate | $92 million | $1.5 billion |
| 07 · Vegetables | $64 million | $2.3 billion |
| 06 · Live plants and flowers | $63 million | $469 million |
| 01 · Live animals | $57 million | $253 million |
| 13 · Gums and plant extracts | $50 million | $284 million |
| 05 · Other animal products | $42 million | $442 million |
| 57 · Carpets and rugs | $35 million | $524 million |
| 50 · Silk | $29 million | $83 million |
| 53 · Other plant fibers | $26 million | $74 million |
| 36 · Explosives and matches | $16 million | $156 million |
| 67 · Feathers and artificial flowers | $5 million | $198 million |
| 66 · Umbrellas and canes | $4 million | $298 million |
| 43 · Fur and fur goods | $4 million | $43 million |
| 45 · Cork | $4 million | $15 million |
| 46 · Wicker and basketware | $3 million | $126 million |
| 14 · Other plant products | $2 million | $583 million |
Trading partners
Its main destination is the United States (19% of exports) and its main source is China (22.7% of imports).
Who it sells to
| Partner | Value (USD billions) | Share | Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 144 | 19% | Sea |
| China | 138 | 18.1% | Air |
| South Korea | 46.8 | 6.2% | Air |
| Taiwan | 45.3 | 6% | Air |
| Hong Kong | 34.9 | 4.6% | Air |
| Thailand | 26.6 | 3.5% | Sea |
| Germany | 21.8 | 2.9% | Air |
| Singapore | 19.5 | 2.6% | Air |
| India | 18.6 | 2.5% | Sea |
| Australia | 17.1 | 2.3% | Sea |
Who it buys from
| Partner | Value (USD billions) | Share | Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | 163 | 22.7% | Sea |
| United States | 80.6 | 11.2% | Air |
| Australia | 49.3 | 6.8% | Sea |
| United Arab Emirates | 36.8 | 5.1% | Sea |
| Saudi Arabia | 29.8 | 4.1% | Sea |
| South Korea | 28.7 | 4% | Sea |
| Taiwan | 28.1 | 3.9% | Air |
| Vietnam | 26.5 | 3.7% | Sea |
| Thailand | 24.1 | 3.3% | Sea |
| Indonesia | 22.4 | 3.1% | Sea |
Overview 1995–2024
In 2024, Japan accounted for 3.3% of world exports, compared with 9.2% in 1995.
Exports and imports
Exports grew 63% since 1995
USD billions (current). Bars: trade balance (green surplus, red deficit).
- Exports 759
- Imports 721
- Balance +37.9
Source: CEPII BACI
Show the numbers
| Year | Exports | Imports | Trade balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | $466.8 billion | $327.9 billion | $138.9 billion |
| 1996 | $438.9 billion | $341.1 billion | $97.8 billion |
| 1997 | $448.7 billion | $331.5 billion | $117.2 billion |
| 1998 | $417.7 billion | $276.2 billion | $141.5 billion |
| 1999 | $443.8 billion | $303.6 billion | $140.2 billion |
| 2000 | $514.6 billion | $368.5 billion | $146.1 billion |
| 2001 | $449.2 billion | $338.7 billion | $110.5 billion |
| 2002 | $461 billion | $328.7 billion | $132.2 billion |
| 2003 | $518.3 billion | $373.2 billion | $145.1 billion |
| 2004 | $616.8 billion | $439.4 billion | $177.4 billion |
| 2005 | $654.5 billion | $495.3 billion | $159.1 billion |
| 2006 | $705.1 billion | $559.8 billion | $145.3 billion |
| 2007 | $774.3 billion | $611.5 billion | $162.8 billion |
| 2008 | $845.2 billion | $742 billion | $103.2 billion |
| 2009 | $642.1 billion | $540.7 billion | $101.3 billion |
| 2010 | $819.6 billion | $674.7 billion | $144.9 billion |
| 2011 | $878.5 billion | $823.6 billion | $54.9 billion |
| 2012 | $868.9 billion | $845.7 billion | $23.2 billion |
| 2013 | $786.6 billion | $798.7 billion | -$12 billion |
| 2014 | $757.6 billion | $781.4 billion | -$23.8 billion |
| 2015 | $691.6 billion | $601.5 billion | $90.1 billion |
| 2016 | $709.2 billion | $592.2 billion | $117 billion |
| 2017 | $761.5 billion | $652.4 billion | $109 billion |
| 2018 | $798.9 billion | $729.8 billion | $69.1 billion |
| 2019 | $761.7 billion | $696.4 billion | $65.3 billion |
| 2020 | $694.9 billion | $622 billion | $72.9 billion |
| 2021 | $813.3 billion | $734.8 billion | $78.5 billion |
| 2022 | $817.1 billion | $870.7 billion | -$53.6 billion |
| 2023 | $787.8 billion | $763.6 billion | $24.2 billion |
| 2024 | $758.8 billion | $720.9 billion | $37.9 billion |
World rank
Japan fell from 3rd to 5th among the world's exporters
Rank among 222 countries by export value (1st at the top).
- 3rd in 1995
- 5th in 2024
Source: CEPII BACI
Show the numbers
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 3rd |
| 1996 | 3rd |
| 1997 | 3rd |
| 1998 | 3rd |
| 1999 | 3rd |
| 2000 | 3rd |
| 2001 | 3rd |
| 2002 | 4th |
| 2003 | 4th |
| 2004 | 4th |
| 2005 | 4th |
| 2006 | 4th |
| 2007 | 4th |
| 2008 | 4th |
| 2009 | 4th |
| 2010 | 4th |
| 2011 | 4th |
| 2012 | 4th |
| 2013 | 4th |
| 2014 | 4th |
| 2015 | 4th |
| 2016 | 4th |
| 2017 | 4th |
| 2018 | 4th |
| 2019 | 4th |
| 2020 | 4th |
| 2021 | 4th |
| 2022 | 4th |
| 2023 | 4th |
| 2024 | 5th |
What it sells
Vehicles became its top export group: from 18% to 22%
% of exports by Harmonized System chapter.
- Other 22%
- Pharmaceuticals 2%
- Gems and precious metals 3%
- Iron and steel 4%
- Plastics 4%
- Precision and medical instruments 5%
- Electrical and electronic equipment 18%
- Mechanical machinery 19%
- Vehicles 22%
Source: CEPII BACI
Show the numbers
| Chapter | 1995 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicles | 17.9% | 21.7% |
| Mechanical machinery | 24.2% | 19.2% |
| Electrical and electronic equipment | 25.2% | 18.5% |
| Precision and medical instruments | 5.7% | 5.3% |
| Plastics | 2.5% | 4% |
| Iron and steel | 3.4% | 3.8% |
| Gems and precious metals | 0.31% | 3.3% |
| Pharmaceuticals | 0.22% | 2.2% |
| Other | 20.6% | 22.2% |
Who it trades with
China went from 8% to 20% of Japan's trade
% of total trade (exports + imports) with each partner.
- China 20%
- United States 15%
- South Korea 5%
- Taiwan 5%
- Australia 4%
Source: CEPII BACI
Show the numbers
| Partner | 1995 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| China | 7.8% | 20.4% |
| United States | 24.7% | 15.2% |
| South Korea | 6% | 5.1% |
| Taiwan | 5.3% | 5% |
| Australia | 2.9% | 4.5% |
Production hubs
Largest industrial emission sources (Climate TRACE, 2025)
- Hekinan power station
- Matsuura Kyushu power station
- JFE West Japan Works (Fukuyama) steel plant
Sources and methodology
Sources and licenses
- CEPII BACI · Licence Ouverte Etalab 2.0
- Climate TRACE · CC BY 4.0 (emissions by asset; the 3 largest per country are shown)
- Kummu et al., gridded GDP · CC BY 4.0 (hubs aggregated by this site)
- Natural Earth · Public domain
Methodology
Goods trade from CEPII BACI (BACI_HS92_V202601), in current US dollars, with exports and imports reconciled between countries. The transport mode is our own estimate based on value per kilo and geography. Ranks are computed among the countries with data each year. Services are not included. Data up to 2024.