Below is a list showcasing 15 of Japan’s top trading partners, countries that imported the most Japanese shipments by dollar value during 2018. Also shown is each import country’s percentage of total Japanese exports.

1. China: US$144 billion (19.5% of Japan’s total exports)
2. United States: $140.6 billion (19%)
3. South Korea: $52.5 billion (7.1%)
4. Taiwan: $42.4 billion (5.7%)
5. Hong Kong: $34.7 billion (4.7%)
6. Thailand: $32.3 billion (4.4%)
7. Singapore: $23.4 billion (3.2%)
8. Germany: $20.9 billion (2.8%)
9. Australia: $17.1 billion (2.3%)
10. Vietnam: $16.4 billion (2.2%)
11. Indonesia: $15.8 billion (2.1%)
12. United Kingdom: $14 billion (1.9%)
13. Malaysia: $13.9 billion (1.9%)
14. Netherlands: $12.7 billion (1.7%)
15. Mexico: $11.6 billion (1.6%)

Four-fifths (80.2% by value) of Japanese exports in 2018 were delivered to the above 15 trade partners.
Hong Kong and South Korea were the only top importers that decreased purchases from Japan from 2014 to 2018, down in value by -2.1% and -1.5% respectively. Among the other 13 countries, gains ranged from a minimum of 1.6% for the United Kingdom up to 17.9% for Indonesia.

For the complete listing, see the section Searchable Datalist of Countries Importing Japan’s Exports near the bottom of this article.

Japan incurred an overall -$10.2 billion trade deficit for 2018, reversing a $26.2 billion surplus one year earlier.

As defined by Investopedia, a country whose total value of all imported goods is higher than its value of all exports is said to have a negative trade balance or deficit.

It would be unrealistic for any exporting nation to expect across-the-board positive trade balances with all its importing partners. Similarly, that export country doesn’t necessarily post a negative trade balance with each individual partner with which it exchanges exports and imports.

In 2018, Japan incurred the highest trade deficits with the following countries.

1. Saudi Arabia: -US$29.7 billion (country-specific trade deficit in 2018)
2. China: -$29.5 billion
3. Australia: -$28.6 billion
4. United Arab Emirates: -$19.6 billion
5. Qatar: -$13.4 billion
6. Russia: -$8.3 billion
7. Italy: -$6.7 billion
8. Indonesia: -$5.8 billion
9. Ireland: -$5.7 billion
10. Kuwait: -$5.5 billion

Among Japan’s trading partners that cause the greatest negative trade balances, Japanese deficits with United Arab Emirates (up 45.1%), Ireland (up 37.7%) and Qatar (up 37.2%) grew at the fastest pace from 2017 to 2018.

Based on Investopedia’s definition of net importer, a country whose total value of all imported goods is lower than its value of all exports is said to have a positive trade balance or surplus.

In 2018, Japan incurred the highest trade surpluses with the following countries.

1. United States: US$57 billion (country-specific trade surplus in 2018)
2. Hong Kong: $32.6 billion
3. South Korea: $20.4 billion
4. Taiwan: $15.3 billion
5. Singapore: $13.7 billion
6. Netherlands: $9.5 billion
7. Thailand: $7.2 billion
8. United Kingdom: $5.8 billion
9. India: $5.5 billion
10. Panama: $5.4 billion

Among Japan’s trading partners that generate the greatest positive trade balances, Japanese surpluses with India (up 57%), Panama (up 17.3%) and Thailand (up 7.4%) grew at the fastest pace from 2017 to 2018.

These positive cashflow streams clearly indicate Japan’s competitive advantages with the above countries, but also represent key opportunities for Japan to develop country-specific strategies to optimize its overall position in international trade.

Companies Servicing Japanese Trading Partners

According to the Japan Import Export Directory, the following are examples of entrepreneurial companies that ship products from Japan to its trading partners around the globe. Shown within parenthesis is the product category that the Japanese business specializes in.

• Aiza Corporation Japan (consumer electronics)
• Akasaka Diesels Limited (marine engines, generators)
• Aktio Corp. (construction equipment)
• Fuji Latex Co., Ltd. (shock absorbers)
• Japan Algae Co., Ltd. (dietary supplements)
• Kiramek, Inc. (vehicle security products)
• Kyodo Co., Inc. (steel)
• Ochadokoro Sanwa (Japanese Green tea)
• TMO International Limited (gold, gemstones)
• Whn Co., Ltd. (new/used cars)