Top Japanese Trade Partners in 2010

Apr 1, 2011
Daniel Workman

Japan is Key Exporter of Global Automotive Parts - dantada (morgueFile)

Find out which countries were Japan's largest import-export partners for 2010. Plus, what is the Japanese global trade outlook for the rest of 2011?

During 2010, Japan’s international trade performance was commendable.

Based on the latest statistics from the United Nations’ Comtrade database, the Land of the Rising Sun boosted its overall trade surplus to US$77.2 billion. That figure represents a robust 168.7% gain from the $28.7 billion surplus in 2009.

Of course, that achievement was before the devastating March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

Below are Japan’s top trade partners in 2010 for both exports and imports. These countries are most likely to feel the strongest after-effects from Japan’s post-disaster economic changes.

Top Trade Partners for Japanese Exports

Japan exported $769.8 billion worth of products to the world last year, up 32.6% from 2009. The following eight trade partners consumed 65.9% of Japan’s total exports during 2010.

China … US$149.5 billion, up 36.2% from 2009 (21.6% of total Japanese exports)
United States … $120.5 billion, up 26.4% (17.4% of total)
South Korea … $62.4 billion, up 31.9% (9% of total)
Hong Kong … $42.3 billion, up 32.7% (6.1% of total)
Thailand … $34.2 billion, up 54.1% (4.9% of total)
Malaysia … $17.6 billion, up 37.1% (2.5% of total)
Australia … $15.9 billion, up 30.4% (2.3% of total)
United Kingdom … $14.2 billion, up 20% (2% of total).

Japanese exporters were able to grow their sales by double-digit percentages to each of the top international trade customers.

Major Suppliers of Japanese Imported Goods

The following eight countries supplied 65.9% of Japan’s total $580.7 billion worth of imports during 2010. Overall Japanese imports were up 25.5% compared with 2009.

China … US$153.2 billion, up 24.9% from 2009 (22.1% of total Japanese imports)
United States … $69.1 billion, up 14% (10% of total)
Australia … $44.7 billion, up 28.6% (6.5% of total)
Saudi Arabia … $36 billion, up 23.4% (5.2% of total)
United Arab Emirates … $29.3 billion, up 29.4% (4.2% of total)
South Korea … $28.6 billion, up 30% (4.1% of total)
Indonesia … $28.1 billion, up 28.8% (4% of total)
Thailand … $21 billion, up 31% (3% of total).

All eight nations posted impressive double-digit percentage gains during 2010. Among these, the United States had the lowest increase with a respectable 14% improvement.

Outlook for Japanese Global Trade in 2011

While Japan’s earthquake and tsunami are tragedies, the economic effects won’t necessarily involve all bad news for nations that exchange exports and imports with Japan.

There will be opportunities to rebuild Japanese infrastructure, which will demand construction equipment and raw resources including concrete, steel and copper.

At the top of the list, 126.5 million Japanese have an immediate need for food, water and medical supplies. Countries with competitive advantages in those commodities are well-positioned to increase import sales that meet heightened Japanese demand.

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