by Flagpictures.org
Japanese imports represent about 4.2% of total global imports estimated at $17.788 trillion for 2018 (as of January 21, 2019).
From a continental perspective, 60.3% of Japan’s total imports by value in 2018 were purchased from fellow Asian countries. European trade partners supplied 15.3% of import purchases by Japan while 13.6% worth originated from North America. Smaller percentages were sent to Oceania (6.8%) led by Australia, Latin America (2.8%) excluding Mexico but including the Caribbean, and Africa (1.2%).
Given Japan’s population of 126.2 million people, its total $748.4 billion in 2018 imports translates to $5,900 in yearly product demand from every person in the Asian island country.
Japan’s Top 10 Imports
Top 10
The following product groups represent the highest dollar value in Japan’s import purchases during 2018. Also shown is the percentage share each product category represents in terms of overall imports into Japan.
- Mineral fuels including oil: US$174.6 billion (23.3% of total imports)
- Electrical machinery, equipment: $101 billion (13.5%)
- Machinery including computers: $72.9 billion (9.7%)
- Optical, technical, medical apparatus: $27.6 billion (3.7%)
- Pharmaceuticals: $25.5 billion (3.4%)
- Vehicles: $24.6 billion (3.3%)
- Ores, slag, ash: $22.4 billion (3%)
- Organic chemicals: $18.2 billion (2.4%)
- Plastics, plastic articles: $16.9 billion (2.3%)
- Clothing, accessories (not knit or crochet): $14.7 billion (2%)
Japan’s top 10 imports accounted for two-thirds (66.6%) of the overall value of its product purchases from other countries.
Mineral fuels including oil had the fastest-growing increase in value among the top 10 import categories, up 23.6% from 2017.
In second place for improving import sales was the organic chemicals category via its 14.6% year-over-year gain.
In third place were imported pharmaceuticals (up 13.6%) followed by plastics and plastic articles (up 12.3%) then machinery including computers (up 11.7%).
Electrical machinery and equipment posted the smallest year-over-year increase thanks to its 3.4% improvement.
Note that the results listed above are at the categorized two-digit Harmonized Tariff System (HTS) code level. For a more detailed view of imported goods at the four-digit HTS code level, see the section Searchable List of Japan’s Most Valuable Import Products further down near the bottom of this article or under the adjacent product folder tabs.
Fuel
In 2018, Japanese importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of fossil fuel.
- Crude oil: US$80.6 billion (up 26.4% from 2017)
- Petroleum gases: $49.1 billion (up 21.8%)
- Coal, solid fuels made from coal: $25.4 billion (up 10.6%)
- Processed petroleum oils: $17.7 billion (up 37.1%)
- Petroleum oil residues: $921.3 million (up 24.1%)
- Coke, semi-coke: $595.9 million (up 57.4%)
- Coal tar oils (high temperature distillation): $171.7 million (up 26.6%)
- Petroleum jelly, mineral waxes: $98.1 million (up 52.8%)
- Distilled tar: $33.9 million (up 176.3%)
- Peat: $32.6 million (down -1.2%)
Among these import subcategories, Japan’s purchases of distilled tar (up 176.3%), coke or semi-coke (up 57.4%) and petroleum jelly or mineral waxes (up 52.8%) grew at the fastest pace from 2017 to 2018.
These amounts and the percentage gains within parenthesis clearly show where the strongest demand lies for different types of imported mineral fuels-related goods among Japanese businesses and consumers.
Electronics
In 2018, Japanese importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of electronics products.
- Phone system devices including smartphones: US$26.1 billion (down -0.2% from 2017)
- Integrated circuits/microassemblies: $20.1 billion (up 3.4%)
- Insulated wire/cable: $7.5 billion (up 11.2%)
- Solar power diodes/semi-conductors: $5.1 billion (down -1.9%)
- TV receivers/monitors/projectors: $3.4 billion (up 7.2%)
- Electrical converters/power units: $3.2 billion (up 2.5%)
- Lower-voltage switches, fuses: $3.2 billion (up 4.5%)
- TV/radio/radar device parts: $3.2 billion (up 0.7%)
- Electrical machinery: $2.7 billion (down -0.4%)
- TV receiver/transmit/digital cameras: $2.2 billion (up 14.4%)
Among these import subcategories, Japan’s purchases of TV receivers, transmitters and digital cameras (up 14.4%), insulated wire or cable (up 11.2%) and TV receivers, monitors or projectors (up 7.2%) grew at the fastest pace from 2017 to 2018.
These amounts and the percentage gains within parenthesis clearly show where the strongest demand lies for different types of imported electronics among Japanese businesses and consumers.
Machinery
In 2018, Japanese importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of machinery.
- Computers, optical readers: US$15.5 billion (up 4.7% from 2017)
- Turbo-jets: $8.2 billion (up 25%)
- Machinery for making semi-conductors: $6.4 billion (up 38.5%)
- Printing machinery: $4 billion (up 0.9%)
- Computer parts, accessories: $3.1 billion (up 4.7%)
- Air conditioners: $2.7 billion (up 16.3%)
- Air or vacuum pumps: $2.7 billion (up 12.5%)
- Taps, valves, similar appliances: $2.5 billion (up 7%)
- Machinery parts: $2.2 billion (up 23%)
- Miscellaneous machinery: $2.1 billion (up 9.9%)
Among these import subcategories, Japan’s purchases of machinery for making semi-conductors (up 38.5%), turbo-jets (up 25%) and machinery parts (up 23%) grew at the fastest pace from 2017 to 2018.
These amounts and the percentage gains within parenthesis clearly show where the strongest demand lies for different types of imported machinery among Japanese businesses and consumers.
Tech
In 2018, Japanese importers spent the most on the following subcategories of technical equipment.
- Electro-medical equipment (e.g. xrays): US$6.4 billion (up 10.9% from 2017)
- Orthopedic appliances: $3.3 billion (up 9.7%)
- Other measuring/testing machines: $2.7 billion (up 18%)
- Optical fiber cables, sheets, plates: $2.5 billion (down -1.2%)
- Regulate/control instruments: $2.3 billion (up 11.3%)
- Physical/chemical analysis tools: $1.6 billion (up 12.4%)
- X-ray equipment: $1.3 billion (down -3.1%)
- Liquid crystal/laser/optical tools: $1.2 billion (up 6%)
- Oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers: $1.2 billion (up 13.1%)
- Mechano-therapy appliances: $846.5 million (down -3%)
Among these import subcategories, Japan’s purchases of other measuring and testing machines (up 18%), oscilloscopes and spectrum analyzers (up 13.1%) and physical or chemical analysis tools (up 12.4%) grew at the fastest pace from 2017 to 2018.
These amounts and the percentage gains within parenthesis clearly show where the strongest demand lies for different types of imported technical equipment among Japanese businesses and consumers.
Searchable List of Japan’s Most Valuable Import Products
At the more granular four-digit HTS code level, Japan’s top import products are crude oil, petroleum gases, mobile phones followed by coal then integrated circuits.
The following searchable table displays 200 of Japan’s most in-demand imported goods during 2018. Shown beside each product label is its total import value then the percentage increase or decrease since 2017.
| Rank | Japan's Import Product | 2018 Value (US$) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Crude oil | $80.6 billion | +26.4% |
| 2 | Petroleum gases | $49.1 billion | +21.8% |
| 3 | Phone system devices including smartphones | $26.1 billion | -0.2% |
| 4 | Coal, solid fuels made from coal | $25.4 billion | +10.6% |
| 5 | Integrated circuits/microassemblies | $20.1 billion | +3.4% |
| 6 | Processed petroleum oils | $17.7 billion | +37.1% |
| 7 | Medication mixes in dosage | $16.4 billion | +10.8% |
| 8 | Computers, optical readers | $15.5 billion | +4.7% |
| 9 | Cars | $12.2 billion | +9.6% |
| 10 | Copper ores, concentrates | $9.8 billion | +18.1% |
| 11 | Iron ores, concentrates | $9.3 billion | -3.6% |
| 12 | Automobile parts/accessories | $8.9 billion | +7.3% |
| 13 | Turbo-jets | $8.2 billion | +25% |
| 14 | Blood fractions (including antisera) | $7.8 billion | +22.1% |
| 15 | Insulated wire/cable | $7.5 billion | +11.2% |
| 16 | Electro-medical equip (e.g. xrays) | $6.4 billion | +10.9% |
| 17 | Machinery for making semi-conductors | $6.4 billion | +38.5% |
| 18 | Aluminum (unwrought) | $6.3 billion | +11.8% |
| 19 | Cases, handbags, wallets | $5.6 billion | +5.9% |
| 20 | Solar power diodes/semi-conductors | $5.1 billion | -1.9% |
| 21 | Jerseys, pullovers (knit or crochet) | $4.6 billion | +7.4% |
| 22 | Aircraft, spacecraft | $4.4 billion | +49.5% |
| 23 | Swine meat | $4.4 billion | +0.7% |
| 24 | Platinum (unwrought) | $4.1 billion | +22.1% |
| 25 | Printing machinery | $4 billion | +0.9% |
| 26 | Women's clothing (not knit or crochet) | $3.6 billion | +4.9% |
| 27 | Whole fish (frozen) | $3.4 billion | -1.9% |
| 28 | Miscellaneous plastic items | $3.4 billion | +6.9% |
| 29 | Corn | $3.4 billion | +9.3% |
| 30 | TV receivers/monitors/projectors | $3.4 billion | +7.2% |
| 31 | Fish fillets, pieces | $3.4 billion | +5.6% |
| 32 | Orthopedic appliances | $3.3 billion | +9.7% |
| 33 | Heterocyclics, nucleic acids | $3.3 billion | +18.6% |
| 34 | Electrical converters/power units | $3.2 billion | +2.5% |
| 35 | Miscellaneous meat (preserved/prepared) | $3.2 billion | +7.1% |
| 36 | Precious metal waste, scrap | $3.2 billion | +24.3% |
| 37 | Lower-voltage switches, fuses | $3.2 billion | +4.5% |
| 38 | TV/radio/radar device parts | $3.2 billion | +0.7% |
| 39 | Iron ferroalloys | $3.1 billion | +16.7% |
| 40 | Computer parts, accessories | $3.1 billion | +4.7% |
| 41 | Seats (excluding barber/dentist chairs) | $2.9 billion | +4.4% |
| 42 | Electrical machinery | $2.7 billion | -0.4% |
| 43 | Other measuring/testing machines | $2.7 billion | +18% |
| 44 | Air conditioners | $2.7 billion | +16.3% |
| 45 | Pipe/chewing/snuff tobaccos | $2.7 billion | +48.3% |
| 46 | Air or vacuum pumps | $2.7 billion | +12.5% |
| 47 | Miscellaneous furniture | $2.7 billion | +4% |
| 48 | Polyacetal/ether/carbonates | $2.6 billion | +19.3% |
| 49 | Men's suits, trousers (not knit or crochet) | $2.6 billion | +7% |
| 50 | Taps, valves, similar appliances | $2.5 billion | +7% |
| 51 | Fuel wood, wood chips, sawdust | $2.5 billion | +12.1% |
| 52 | Cigars/cigarellos, cigarettes | $2.5 billion | -6.7% |
| 53 | Optical fiber cables, sheets, plates | $2.5 billion | -1.2% |
| 54 | T-shirts, vests (knit or crochet) | $2.4 billion | +8.5% |
| 55 | Sawn wood | $2.3 billion | +4.6% |
| 56 | Crustaceans (including lobsters) | $2.3 billion | -7.2% |
| 57 | Regulate/control instruments | $2.3 billion | +11.3% |
| 58 | Plastic packing goods, lids, caps | $2.3 billion | +7.5% |
| 59 | Models, puzzles, miscellaneous toys | $2.3 billion | +7.2% |
| 60 | TV receiver/transmit/digital cameras | $2.2 billion | +14.4% |
| 61 | Footwear (textile) | $2.2 billion | +7.7% |
| 62 | Aircraft parts | $2.2 billion | +5.2% |
| 63 | Machinery parts | $2.2 billion | +23% |
| 64 | Electric water heaters, hair dryers | $2.2 billion | +5.2% |
| 65 | Miscellaneous iron and steel structures | $2.1 billion | +23% |
| 66 | Miscellaneous machinery | $2.1 billion | +9.9% |
| 67 | Table games, bowling equipment | $2.1 billion | -11.3% |
| 68 | Fresh or chilled beef | $2.1 billion | +9.1% |
| 69 | Piston engine parts | $2 billion | +10.7% |
| 70 | Wrist/pocket watches (no precious metal case) | $1.9 billion | +2.9% |
| 71 | Electric motors, generators | $1.9 billion | +8.4% |
| 72 | Transmission shafts, gears, clutches | $1.9 billion | +10.7% |
| 73 | Jewelry | $1.9 billion | -2.5% |
| 74 | Microphones/headphones/amps | $1.8 billion | +13.2% |
| 75 | Hydrogen, rare gases | $1.8 billion | +4.4% |
| 76 | Laminated wood (including plywood, veneer panels) | $1.8 billion | +15.9% |
| 77 | Centrifuges, filters and purifiers | $1.7 billion | +18.1% |
| 78 | Fish, caviar (preserved/prepared) | $1.7 billion | +10.2% |
| 79 | Radar, radio communication items | $1.7 billion | +15.4% |
| 80 | Wine | $1.7 billion | +4.4% |
| 81 | Plastic plates, sheets, film, tape, strips | $1.7 billion | +9% |
| 82 | Nickel matte, oxide sinters | $1.7 billion | +28.5% |
| 83 | Miscellaneous iron or steel items | $1.6 billion | +8.3% |
| 84 | Wheat | $1.6 billion | +7.3% |
| 85 | Miscellaneous heterocyclics | $1.6 billion | +2.1% |
| 86 | Ethers | $1.6 billion | +6.5% |
| 87 | Physical/chemical analysis tools | $1.6 billion | +12.4% |
| 88 | Unrecorded sound media | $1.6 billion | +0.5% |
| 89 | Electric storage batteries | $1.6 billion | +21.8% |
| 90 | Women's coats, jackets (not knit or crochet) | $1.6 billion | +20.3% |
| 91 | Wood carpentry, builders' joinery | $1.6 billion | +5.4% |
| 92 | Soya beans | $1.5 billion | -0.3% |
| 93 | Footwear (rubber or plastic) | $1.5 billion | -2.9% |
| 94 | Liquid pumps and elevators | $1.5 billion | +7.9% |
| 95 | Sports equipment | $1.5 billion | +3.9% |
| 96 | Crustaceans, molluscs (preserved/prepared) | $1.5 billion | +1.7% |
| 97 | Acyclic alcohols | $1.4 billion | +30.3% |
| 98 | Women's clothing (knit or crochet) | $1.4 billion | +12.9% |
| 99 | Beauty/makeup/skin care preparations | $1.4 billion | +12.7% |
| 100 | Mattresses, quilts | $1.4 billion | +7.3% |
| 101 | Frozen beef | $1.4 billion | +14.8% |
| 102 | Men's coats, jackets (not knit or crochet) | $1.4 billion | +28.6% |
| 103 | Chemical industry products/residuals | $1.3 billion | +16.6% |
| 104 | Moluscs | $1.3 billion | -4.2% |
| 105 | Miscellaneous articles, dress patterns | $1.3 billion | +6.2% |
| 106 | X-ray equipment | $1.3 billion | -3.1% |
| 107 | Copper waste, scrap | $1.3 billion | +15.7% |
| 108 | Cheese, curd | $1.3 billion | +11.2% |
| 109 | Printed circuits | $1.3 billion | -12.1% |
| 110 | Coffee | $1.3 billion | -11.9% |
| 111 | Poultry meat | $1.3 billion | -10.1% |
| 112 | Footwear (leather) | $1.2 billion | +4.9% |
| 113 | Chemical woodpulp (non-dissolving) | $1.2 billion | +15.8% |
| 114 | Rubber tires (new) | $1.2 billion | +7.6% |
| 115 | Liquid crystal/laser/optical tools | $1.2 billion | +6% |
| 116 | Refrigerators, freezers | $1.2 billion | +4% |
| 117 | Oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers | $1.2 billion | +13.1% |
| 118 | Electrical/optical circuit boards, panels | $1.2 billion | +4.6% |
| 119 | Amino-compounds (oxygen) | $1.2 billion | +21.5% |
| 120 | Hot-rolled iron or non-alloy steel products | $1.2 billion | -2.4% |
| 121 | Temperature-change machines | $1.1 billion | +8.1% |
| 122 | Tracksuits, swimwear (not knit or crochet) | $1.1 billion | +7% |
| 123 | Electrical lighting/signaling equpment, defrosters | $1.1 billion | +11.7% |
| 124 | Vacuum cleaners | $1.1 billion | +7.5% |
| 125 | Silver (unwrought) | $1.1 billion | -3.5% |
| 126 | Rape/colza seeds | $1.1 billion | -2.3% |
| 127 | Women's shirts (not knit or crochet) | $1.1 billion | +0.4% |
| 128 | Linens | $1.1 billion | +4.7% |
| 129 | Natural rubber | $1.1 billion | -17.1% |
| 130 | Electric circuit parts, fuses, switches | $1.1 billion | -6% |
| 131 | Chemicals used in electronics | $1.1 billion | +18.3% |
| 132 | Miscellaneous animal feed preparations | $1.1 billion | +6.2% |
| 133 | Other food preparations | $1.1 billion | +3.8% |
| 134 | Stockings, hosiery (knit or crochet) | $1.1 billion | +5.4% |
| 135 | Lamps, lighting, illuminated signs | $1 billion | +1.9% |
| 136 | Zinc ores, concentrates | $1 billion | +13.3% |
| 137 | Bridge structures, parts | $986.8 million | +14.3% |
| 138 | Bras, corsets (not knit or crochet) | $974.2 million | +5.1% |
| 139 | Washing machines | $967.3 million | +4.9% |
| 140 | Frozen vegetables | $951.9 million | +5.4% |
| 141 | Iron and steel screws, bolts, nuts, washers | $944.5 million | +8.5% |
| 142 | Engines (diesel) | $933.2 million | -12% |
| 143 | Moulding boxes/base | $925.2 million | -9.9% |
| 144 | Petroleum oil residues | $921.3 million | +24.1% |
| 145 | Bananas, plantains | $913.4 million | +7.4% |
| 146 | Men's shirts (not knit or crochet) | $905.4 million | +2% |
| 147 | Rough wood | $903.4 million | +16.6% |
| 148 | Vulcanized rubber items | $898.7 million | +4.9% |
| 149 | Ethylene polymers | $887.9 million | +21.5% |
| 150 | Diamonds (unmounted/unset) | $885.2 million | +11.5% |
| 151 | Other machine parts, accessories | $875.7 million | +4.4% |
| 152 | Red meat offal | $870.2 million | +1.5% |
| 153 | Coated/laminated non-wovens | $858.1 million | +5.5% |
| 154 | Mechano-therapy appliances | $846.5 million | -3% |
| 155 | Piston engines | $842.9 million | +19.1% |
| 156 | Oxometal/peroxometal acid salts | $824.4 million | +83.7% |
| 157 | Iron or steel pipe fittings | $820.1 million | +11.9% |
| 158 | Miscellaneous preserved fruits | $819.9 million | +0.8% |
| 159 | Propylene/olefin polymers | $809.4 million | +67.3% |
| 160 | Cobalt | $806.2 million | +46% |
| 161 | Ball, roller bearings | $796.2 million | +14.7% |
| 162 | Telecommunication receivers | $791 million | +19.1% |
| 163 | Hay, alfalfa, clover | $779.2 million | +5.9% |
| 164 | Base metal mountings, fittings | $779.1 million | +6.5% |
| 165 | Women blouses, shirts (knit/crochet) | $779 million | -3.2% |
| 166 | Fruit and vegetable juices | $778.9 million | +19.2% |
| 167 | Alcohol (including spirits, liqueurs) | $762.4 million | +9.2% |
| 168 | Soya-bean oil-cake, other solid residues | $761.8 million | +15.7% |
| 169 | Other prepared/preserved vegetables (frozen) | $743.4 million | +7.4% |
| 170 | Hydrazine, inorganic salts | $738.6 million | +38.1% |
| 171 | Polyamides | $732 million | +21.7% |
| 172 | Electromechanic domestic appliances | $731.4 million | +3% |
| 173 | Flat-rolled iron or non-alloy steel products (plated/coated) | $724 million | +7.8% |
| 174 | Other prepared/preserved vegetables (non-frozen) | $723.5 million | +3.7% |
| 175 | Lenses, prisms, mirrors | $709.8 million | -4.2% |
| 176 | Motorcycles | $696.5 million | +9.1% |
| 177 | Nickel (unwrought) | $692.4 million | +84.8% |
| 178 | Video recording equipment | $691.8 million | -7.5% |
| 179 | Amine-function compounds | $686.1 million | +20.2% |
| 180 | Sutures, special pharmaceutical goods | $685.7 million | +14% |
| 181 | Liquid/gas checking instruments | $682 million | +9.1% |
| 182 | Bicycles, other non-motorized cycles | $670.9 million | -0.5% |
| 183 | Other diagnostic/lab reagents | $659.8 million | +9.9% |
| 184 | Acyclic hydrocarbons | $658.6 million | +30.7% |
| 185 | Plastic tableware, kitchenware, toiletry | $646.9 million | +5.1% |
| 186 | Women's underwear, pajamas (knit or crochet) | $642 million | +3.4% |
| 187 | Miscellaneous engines, motors | $641.6 million | +8.3% |
| 188 | Rubber/plastic article making machines | $640.2 million | +15.3% |
| 189 | Magnets including electro-magnets | $627.9 million | +6.1% |
| 190 | Interchangeable hand/machine tools | $625.2 million | +14.4% |
| 191 | Men's suits,trousers (knit or crochet) | $620.8 million | +13% |
| 192 | Molybdenum ores, concentrates | $613.2 million | +51.9% |
| 193 | Chocolate, other cocoa preparations | $607.8 million | +1.6% |
| 194 | Synthetic organic coloring | $597.4 million | +18.6% |
| 195 | Miscellaneous wooden articles | $596.9 million | -1% |
| 196 | Coke, semi-coke | $595.9 million | +57.4% |
| 197 | Cold-rolled iron or non-alloy steel products | $593.6 million | +1.5% |
| 198 | Live fish | $584.9 million | +103.7% |
| 199 | Wrist/pocket watches (precious metal case) | $579 million | -0.8% |
| 200 | Electric motor parts | $573.4 million | +21.9% |
These 200 imported goods were worth a subtotal of US$621 billion or 83% by value for all products imported into Japan during 2018.
See also Japan’s Top 10 Exports, Japan’s Top Trading Partners, Top Japanese Trade Balances and Japan’s Top 10 Major Export Companies
Research Sources:
The World Factbook, Country Profiles, Central Intelligence Agency. Accessed February 1, 2019
Trade Map, International Trade Centre, www.intracen.org/marketanalysis. Accessed on February 1, 2019
EXPORTS SMARTS QUIZ: