An island nation in East Asia, Japan imported US$634.7 billion worth of products from around the globe during 2020, down by -12% from $721 billion in 2019.

This article presents a quick reference snapshot of Japan’s main imported products categorized by dollar amount and major trading partners.

Data is organized by overall metrics then drill down to the most valuable Japanese imports during 2020 for each of Japan’s top 10 supplier countries. Those leading trading partners accounted for just over two-thirds (67.2%) of Japanese import purchases.

Product categories shown summarize calculations at the two-digit Harmonized System code level. Two-digit codes enable higher-level insights and trends for Japanese imports and each of the top supplier countries.

Japan’s Main Imports from China

In 2020, China’s exports to Japan amounted to $163.8 billion or 25.8% of overall Japanese imports.

That dollar amount represents a -3.2% drop compared to 2019.

By value, the 15 major product categories listed below represent 82% of Japan’s imports from mainland China.

Electronic equipment: $45.7 billion
Machinery: $32.8 billion
Knit or crochet clothing: $7 billion
Clothing (not knit or crochet): $6.3 billion
Other textiles, worn clothing: $6.2 billion
Plastics: $5.03 billion
Furniture, lighting, signs: $5 billion
Medical, technical equipment: $4.7 billion
Toys, games: $4.5 billion
Iron or steel products: $3.8 billion
Vehicles: $3.7 billion
Organic chemicals: $3.3 billion
Meat, seafood preparations: $2.13 billion
Leather, animal gut articles: $2.07 billion
Inorganic chemicals: $2.05 billion

Fastest increases from 2019 to 2020 were for Japanese imports from China under the miscellaneous textiles including worn clothing product category via a 126.9% gain in revenue, then machinery (up 3%).

Posting the severest declines among Japan’s top 15 imported products were inorganic chemicals (down -21.5%), leather and animal gut articles (down -20.4%), unknitted and non-crocheted clothing (down -19.1%), meat or seafood preparations (down -15.1%), vehicles (down -14.9%) then knitted or crocheted clothing (down -13.3%).

Japan’s Main Imports from the US

In 2020, the United States’ exports to Japan amounted to $71.7 billion or 11.3% of overall Japanese imports.

That dollar amount represents a -11.8% drop compared to 2019.

By value, the 15 major product categories listed below represent 80.4% of Japan’s imports from the United States.

Machinery: $9.6 billion
Mineral fuels including oil: $7.6 billion
Medical, technical equipment: $6.9 billion
Pharmaceuticals: $6.7 billion
Electronic equipment: $5.6 billion
Meat: $3.3 billion
Cereals: $3.2 billion
Organic chemicals: $2.8 billion
Aircraft, spacecraft: $2.5 billion
Gems, precious metals: $1.9 billion
Plastics: $1.82 billion
Oil seed: $1.76 billion
Vehicles: $1.52 billion
Other chemical goods: $1.46 billion
Fish: $1 billion

Fastest increases from 2019 to 2020 were for Japanese imports from the United States under the gems and precious metals product category via a 33.7% gain in revenue, then pharmaceuticals (up 12.1%).

Posting the severest declines among Japan’s top 15 imported products were aircraft and spacecraft (down -45.5%), mineral fuels including oil (down -24.4%), vehicles (down -22.1%), medical or technical equipment (down -15.1%), machinery (down -12.6%) then electronic equipment (down -12.2%).

Japan’s Main Imports from Australia

In 2020, Australia’s exports to Japan amounted to $35.7 billion or 5.6% of overall Japanese imports.

That dollar amount represents a -21.6% drop compared to 2019.

By value, the 15 major product categories listed below represent 96.9% of Japan’s imports from Australia.

Mineral fuels including oil: $22.4 billion
Ores, slag, ash: $7.1 billion
Meat: $1.8 billion
Aluminum: $596.6 million
Cereals: $399.8 million
Sugar: $330.9 million
Dairy, eggs, honey: $327.2 million
Wood: $326.3 million
Nickel: $242.9 million
Oil seed: $220.6 million
Gems, precious metals: $213.8 million
Salt, sulphur, stone, cement: $182.8 million
Fruits, nuts: $152.6 million
Fish: $134.2 million
Medical, technical equipment: $131.3 million

Fastest increases from 2019 to 2020 were for Japanese imports from Australia under the gems and precious metals product category via a 12.3% gain in revenue, then fruits and nuts (up 3%).

Posting the severest declines among Japan’s top 15 imported products were wood (down -39%), aluminum (down -34.2%), mineral fuels including oil (down -26.7%), fish (down -19.2%), oil seed (down -18.1%) and nickel (down -17.5%).

Japan’s Main Imports from Taiwan

In 2020, Taiwan’s exports to Japan amounted to $26.8 billion or 4.2% of overall Japanese imports.

That dollar amount represents a -0.4% drop compared to 2019.

By value, the 15 major product categories listed below represent 82.6% of Japan’s imports from Taiwan.

Electronic equipment: $13.5 billion
Machinery: $2.2 billion
Plastics: $1.4 billion
Medical, technical equipment: $825.3 million
Iron and steel: $623.6 million
Gems, precious metals: $534.1 million
Iron or steel products: $420.6 million
Vehicles: $401.9 million
Fish: $397.2 million
Furniture, lighting, signs: $340.4 million
Other chemical goods: $317.5 million
Organic chemicals: $315.8 million
Inorganic chemicals: $315.2 millon
Copper: $258.6 million
Toys, games: $221 million

Fastest increases from 2019 to 2020 were for Japanese imports from Taiwan under the gems and precious metals product category via a 41.1% gain in revenue, electronic equipment: (up 8.1%) then furniture, lighting and signs (up 7.4%).

Posting the severest declines among Japan’s top 15 imported products were organic chemicals (down -19.4%), iron and steel as materials (down -19.3%), plastics as a material (down -17%), fish (down -16%), inorganic chemicals (down -14.9%) then iron or steel products (down -12.8%).

Japan’s Main Imports from South Korea

In 2020, South Korea’s exports to Japan amounted to $26.6 billion or 4.2% of overall Japanese imports.

That dollar amount represents a -10.3% drop compared to 2019.

By value, the 15 major product categories listed below represent 78.1% of Japan’s imports from South Korea.

Electronic equipment: $3.8 billion
Machinery: $3.2 billion
Mineral fuels including oil: $3 billion
Iron and steel: $2.3 billion
Plastics: $1.35 billion
Gems, precious metals: $1.34 billion
Organic chemicals: $1.1 billion
Tobacco: $986.9 million
Iron or steel products: $707.7 million
Medical, technical equipment: $670 million
Inorganic chemicals: $523.5 million
Pharmaceuticals: $478.8 million
Perfumes, cosmetics: $472.3 million
Fish: $439.4 million
Vehicles: $432.7 million

Fastest increases from 2019 to 2020 were for Japanese imports from South Korea under the pharmaceuticals product category via a 41% gain in revenue, perfumes and cosmetics (up 31.4%), gems and precious metals (up 28.7%) then medical or technical equipment (up 11.4%).

Posting the severest declines among Japan’s top 15 imported products were vehicles (down -34.6%), inorganic chemicals (down -27.3%), mineral fuels including oil (down -25.1%), products made from iron or steel (down -24.3%), iron and steel as materials (down -21.1%) then machinery (down -12.5%).

Japan’s Main Imports from Thailand

In 2020, Thailand’s exports to Japan amounted to $23.8 billion or 3.7% of overall Japanese imports.

That dollar amount represents a -6.3% drop compared to 2019.

By value, the 15 major product categories listed below represent 80.7% of Japan’s imports from Thailand.

Electronic equipment: $5.4 billion
Machinery: $3.4 billion
Meat, seafood preparations: $2.2 billion
Vehicles: $2 billion
Plastics: $1.3 billion
Medical, technical equipment: $1.2 billion
Rubber: $801.2 million
Aluminum: $427.8 million
Other chemical goods: $395.8 million
Perfumes, cosmetics: $361.4 million
Food waste, animal fodder: $359.4 million
Meat: $351 million
Copper: $327.4 million
Knit or crochet clothing: $317.5 million
Gems, precious metals: $297.7 million

Fastest increases from 2019 to 2020 were for Japanese imports from Thailand under the vehicles product category via a 33.3% gain in revenue, miscellaneous chemical goods (up 12.7%) then food waste or animal fodder (up 7.9%).

Posting the severest declines among Japan’s top 15 imported products were knitted or crocheted clothing (down -18.7%), plastics as a material (down -17.8%), gems and precious metals (down -12.1%), perfumes and cosmetics (down -12%), copper (down -11.9%) and aluminum (down -11.4%).

Japan’s Main Imports from Vietnam

In 2020, Vietnam’s exports to Japan amounted to $22 billion or 3.5% of overall Japanese imports.

That dollar amount represents a -1.9% drop compared to 2019.

By value, the 15 major product categories listed below represent 83.5% of Japan’s imports from Vietnam.

Electronic equipment: $5.7 billion
Knit or crochet clothing: $2 billion
Clothing (not knit or crochet): $1.9 billion
Machinery: $1.4 billion
Footwear: $1.1 billion
Furniture, lighting, signs: $966.2 million
Wood: $910.1 million
Plastics: $869 million
Other textiles, worn clothing: $652.6 million
Leather, animal gut articles: $533.4 million
Meat, seafood preparations: $519.4 million
Vehicles: $508.3 million
Fish: $497.2 million
Toys, games: $436.4 million
Medical, technical equipment: $391.6 million

Fastest increases from 2019 to 2020 were for Japanese imports from Vietnam under the miscellaneous textiles including worn clothing product category via a 25.3% gain in revenue, toys and games (up 12.2%) then electronic equipment (up 8.8%).

Posting the severest declines among Japan’s top 15 imported products were articles made from leather or animal gut articles (down -16.8%), vehicles (down -12.6%), fish (down -11.6%) then footwear (down -10%).

Japan’s Main Imports from Germany

In 2020, Germany’s exports to Japan amounted to $21.2 billion or 3.3% of overall Japanese imports.

That dollar amount represents a -14.9% drop compared to 2019.

By value, the 15 major product categories listed below represent 90% of Japan’s imports from Germany.

Pharmaceuticals: $4.4 billion
Vehicles: $4.1 billion
Machinery: $3 billion
Medical, technical equipment: $2.2 billion
Electronic equipment: $1.7 billion
Organic chemicals: $1.5 billion
Plastics: $436.1 million
Gems, precious metals: $359.3 million
Other chemical goods: $346.1 million
Inorganic chemicals: $275 million
Aircraft, spacecraft: $236.8 million
Iron or steel products: $190.2 million
Tanning, dyeing extracts: $171.8 million
Dairy, eggs, honey: $114.8 million
Modified starches, enzymes: $103.8 million

Fastest increases from 2019 to 2020 were for Japanese imports from Germany under the gems and precious metals product category via a 55.3% gain in revenue, then dairy, eggs and honey (up 23.3%) and organic chemicals (up 19.7%).

Posting the severest declines among Japan’s top 15 imported products were vehicles (down -36.4%), aircraft and spacecraft (down -29.8%), medical or technical equipment (down -16.1%), machinery (down -12.3%), products made from iron or steel (down -11.3%) and plastics as a material (down -10.5%).

Japan’s Main Imports from Saudi Arabia

In 2020, Saudi Arabia’s exports to Japan amounted to $18.5 billion or 2.9% of overall Japanese imports.

That dollar amount represents a -33.3% drop compared to 2019.

By value, the 15 major product categories listed below represent 99.9% of Japan’s imports from Saudi Arabia.

Mineral fuels including oil: $17.7 billion
Organic chemicals: $214.7 million
Aluminum: $174.7 million
Copper: $119.5 million
Ores, slag, ash: $94.3 million
Plastics: $89.6 million
Other base metals: $7.7 million
Fertilizers: $7.5 million
Gems, precious metals: $5.8 million
Inorganic chemicals: $4 million
Felt, yarn, twine, cordage: $2.2 million
Fruits, nuts: $1.14 million
Machinery: $1.07 million
Iron or steel products: $769,000
Rubber: $735,000

Fastest increases from 2019 to 2020 were for Japanese imports from Saudi Arabia under the gems and precious metals product category via a 4,389% gain in revenue, fruits and nuts (up 832.8%), machinery (up 108.8%), ores, slag and ash (up 59.7%), felt, yarn, twine and cordage (up 44.2%) then fertilizers (up 26.9%).

Posting the severest declines among Japan’s top 15 imported products were products made from iron or steel (down -61.9%), rubber (down -44.3%), plastics as materials (down -35.9%), mineral fuels including oil (down -33.8%), organic chemicals (down -30.3%) and aluminum (down -29.3%).

Japan’s Main Imports from the UAE

In 2020, the United Arab Emirates’ exports to Japan amounted to $16.4 billion or 2.6% of overall Japanese imports.

That dollar amount represents a -37.4% drop compared to 2019.

By value, the 15 major product categories listed below represent 99.8% of Japan’s imports from the United Arab Emirates.

Mineral fuels including oil: $15.6 billion
Aluminum: $496.4 million
Gems, precious metals: $158.9 million
Copper: $30.5 million
Plastics: $18.2 million
Electronic equipment: $7 million
Coffee, tea, spices: $1.9 million
Animal/vegetable fats and oils: $1.5 million
Toys, games: $1.4 million
Clothing (not knit or crochet): $1.3 million
Man-made filaments: $1.2 million
Perfumes, cosmetics: $1.12 million
Cereal, milk preparations: $1.115 million
Rubber: $945,000
Machinery: $935,000

Fastest increases from 2019 to 2020 were for Japanese imports from the UAE under the gems and precious metals product category via an 88.4% gain in revenue, unknitted and non-crocheted clothing (up 64.4%), coffee, tea and spices (up 46.9%), animal or vegetable fats and oils (up 46.3%) and cereal or milk preparations up 32.1%).

Posting the severest declines among Japan’s top 15 imported products were man-made filaments (down -49.6%), mineral fuels including oil (down -38.3%), plastics as a material (down -28.9%), perfumes and cosmetics (down -27.7%), aluminum (down -25.6%) then toys and games (down -23.7%).

References

International Trade Centre, Trade Map.

Wikipedia, Japan, Borders of Japan.

World’s Top Exports, Import News.

Japan’s Main Imports by Top Supplier Countries