Based on the average exchange rate for 2021, the Japanese yen has appreciated by 2.2% against the US dollar since 2017 but decreased by -2.8% from 2020 to 2021. Japan’s weaker local currency since 2020 made Japanese imports paid for in stronger US dollars relatively more expensive when converted starting from the weaker Japanese yen.
From a continental perspective, 58.8% of Japan’s total imports by value in 2021 were purchased from fellow Asian countries. Trade partners in Europe supplied 15.4% of import purchases by Japan while 13.3% worth originated from North America.
Smaller percentages arrived from Oceania (7.5%) led by Australia, Latin America (3.3%) excluding Mexico but including the Caribbean, and Africa (1.8%).
Given Japan’s population of 125.8 million people, its total $768.9 billion worth of 2021 imports translates to $6,100 in yearly product demand from every person in the densely populated Asian island country. That per-capita dollar amount compares with an average $5,000 one year earlier in 2020.
Japan’s Top 10 Imports
Top 10
The following product groups represent the highest dollar value in Japan’s import purchases during 2021. Also shown is the percentage share each product category represents in terms of overall imports into Japan.
- Mineral fuels including oil: US$153.6 billion (20% of total imports)
- Electrical machinery, equipment: $113.2 billion (14.7%)
- Machinery including computers: $71.1 billion (9.3%)
- Pharmaceuticals: $37.2 billion (4.8%)
- Ores, slag, ash: $33.7 billion (4.4%)
- Optical, technical, medical apparatus: $28.2 billion (3.7%)
- Gems, precious metals: $23.9 billion (3.1%)
- Vehicles: $23.1 billion (3%)
- Plastics, plastic articles: $17.3 billion (2.3%)
- Organic chemicals: $16.7 billion (2.2%)
Japan’s top 10 imports accounted for just over two-thirds (67.4%) of the overall value of its product purchases from other countries.
Ores, slag and ash posted the fastest-growing increase in value among the top 10 import categories, up 58.8% from 2020 to 2021.
In second place were imported gems and precious metals (up 50.3%) ahead of mineral fuels including oil (up 45.5%) and pharmaceuticals (up 29.9%).
There were no decliners year over year among the top product categories.
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 2021, Japanese importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of fossil fuel.
- Crude oil: US$62.8 billion (up 44.4% from 2020)
- Petroleum gases: $45.4 billion (up 32.9%)
- Coal, solid fuels made from coal: $24.7 billion (up 54.8%)
- Processed petroleum oils: $18.4 billion (up 66.5%)
- Coke, semi-coke: $1.1 billion (up 704.6%)
- Petroleum oil residues: $933.4 million (up 78.9%)
- Coal tar oils (high temperature distillation): $145.4 million (up 49.2%)
- Petroleum jelly, mineral waxes: $70.3 million (down -12%)
- Peat: $38.8 million (up 22.2%)
- Tar pitch, coke: $25 million (up 219.5%)
Among these import subcategories, Japan’s purchases of coke or semi-coke (up 704.6%), tar pitch and coke (up 219.5%) then petroleum oil residues (up 78.9%) grew at the fastest pace from 2020 to 2021.
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 2021, Japanese importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of electronics products.
- Phone devices including smartphones: US$28.5 billion (up 14.3% from 2020)
- Integrated circuits/microassemblies: $25.3 billion (up 34.9%)
- Insulated wire/cable: $8.4 billion (up 17.5%)
- Solar power diodes/semi-conductors: $4.9 billion (up 9.5%)
- TV receivers/monitors/projectors: $4.5 billion (up 12.6%)
- Electrical converters/power units: $3.8 billion (up 16.5%)
- Lower-voltage switches, fuses: $3.4 billion (up 22.1%)
- TV/radio/radar device parts: $3.1 billion (up 4.9%)
- Electrical machinery: $2.8 billion (up 2.8%)
- Electric water heaters, hair dryers: $2.6 billion (up 14.6%)
Among these import subcategories, Japan’s purchases of integrated circuits and microassemblies (up 34.9%), lower-voltage switches or fuses (up 22.1%) then insulated wire or cable (up 17.5%) grew at the fastest pace from 2020 to 2021.
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 2021, Japanese importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of machinery.
- Computers, optical readers: US$18.9 billion (down -3.8% from 2020)
- Turbo-jets: $4.9 billion (down -0.7%)
- Machinery for making semi-conductors: $4.7 billion (down -3.1%)
- Printing machinery: $3.7 billion (down -0.6%)
- Air or vacuum pumps: $3 billion (up 20.6%)
- Air conditioners: $2.9 billion (up 16.8%)
- Computer parts, accessories: $2.6 billion (up 8.5%)
- Machinery parts: $2.5 billion (up 37.8%)
- Taps, valves, similar appliances: $2.5 billion (up 7.9%)
- Miscellaneous machinery: $2.4 billion (up 15.7%)
Among these import subcategories, Japan’s purchases of machinery parts (up 37.8%), air or vacuum pumps (up 20.6%) then air conditioners (up 16.8%) grew at the fastest pace from 2020 to 2021.
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.
Pharma
In 2021, Japanese importers spent the most on the following subcategories of pharmaceuticals.
- Medication mixes in dosage: US$18.1 billion (up 6.7% from 2020)
- Blood fractions (including antisera): $17.7 billion (up 71.4%)
- Sutures, special pharmaceutical goods: $668.9 million (up 5.9%)
- Medication mixes not in dosage: $375.7 million (up 11.5%)
- Packaged dressings: $227.1 million (down -4.2%)
- Dried organs, heparin: $101.9 million (down -23%)
Among these import subcategories, Japan’s purchases of blood fractions including antisera (up 71.4%), medication mixes not in dosage (up 11.5%) then medication mixes in dosage (up 6.7%) grew at the fastest pace from 2020 to 2021.
These amounts and the percentage gains within parenthesis clearly show where the strongest demand lies for different types of imported technical equipment among Japanese businesses and consumers.
Searchable List of Japan’s Most Valuable Import Products
At the more granular four-digit HTS code level, Japan’s top import products are crude oil, petroleum gases, mobile phones trailed by computers then integrated circuits and medication mixes.
The following searchable table displays 100 of Japan’s most in-demand imported goods during 2021. Shown beside each product label is its total import value then the percentage increase or decrease since 2020.
| Rank | Japan's Import Product | 2021 Value (US$) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Crude oil | $62,807,265,000 | +44.4% |
| 2 | Petroleum gases | $45,424,293,000 | +32.9% |
| 3 | Phone devices including smartphones | $28,542,937,000 | +14.3% |
| 4 | Integrated circuits/microassemblies | $25,293,076,000 | +34.9% |
| 5 | Coal, solid fuels made from coal | $24,682,744,000 | +54.8% |
| 6 | Computers, optical readers | $18,886,954,000 | -3.8% |
| 7 | Processed petroleum oils | $18,376,501,000 | +66.5% |
| 8 | Medication mixes in dosage | $18,088,459,000 | +6.7% |
| 9 | Iron ores, concentrates | $17,817,794,000 | +85.1% |
| 10 | Blood fractions (including antisera) | $17,713,859,000 | +71.4% |
| 11 | Copper ores, concentrates | $12,474,297,000 | +34.1% |
| 12 | Cars | $11,611,315,000 | +14.3% |
| 13 | Platinum (unwrought) | $11,306,602,000 | +62.5% |
| 14 | Insulated wire/cable | $8,393,183,000 | +17.5% |
| 15 | Automobile parts/accessories | $7,466,302,000 | +18.9% |
| 16 | Precious metal waste, scrap | $6,921,086,000 | +49.3% |
| 17 | Electro-medical equip (e.g. xrays) | $6,883,547,000 | +6.3% |
| 18 | Aluminum (unwrought) | $6,206,543,000 | +73.2% |
| 19 | Solar power diodes/semi-conductors | $4,908,384,000 | +9.5% |
| 20 | Turbo-jets | $4,867,297,000 | -0.7% |
| 21 | Cases, handbags, wallets | $4,842,596,000 | +2.3% |
| 22 | Corn | $4,723,319,000 | +43.4% |
| 23 | Machinery for making semi-conductors | $4,651,172,000 | -3.1% |
| 24 | TV receivers/monitors/projectors | $4,503,519,000 | +12.6% |
| 25 | Swine meat | $4,442,845,000 | -0.2% |
| 26 | Jerseys, pullovers (knit or crochet) | $4,275,198,000 | +6.4% |
| 27 | Miscellaneous plastic items | $4,065,318,000 | +7.3% |
| 28 | Aircraft, spacecraft | $4,060,932,000 | +85.8% |
| 29 | Electrical converters/power units | $3,803,671,000 | +16.5% |
| 30 | Printing machinery | $3,680,606,000 | -0.6% |
| 31 | Fish fillets, pieces | $3,388,448,000 | +9.6% |
| 32 | Lower-voltage switches, fuses | $3,368,156,000 | +22.1% |
| 33 | Pipe/chewing/snuff tobaccos | $3,344,981,000 | +11% |
| 34 | Miscellaneous furniture | $3,165,725,000 | +11.7% |
| 35 | TV/radio/radar device parts | $3,122,296,000 | +4.9% |
| 36 | Miscellaneous meat (preserved/prepared) | $3,088,468,000 | +1.2% |
| 37 | Orthopedic appliances | $3,073,484,000 | -0.1% |
| 38 | Whole fish (frozen) | $3,057,385,000 | +13.6% |
| 39 | Seats (excluding barber/dentist chairs) | $2,978,890,000 | +9.2% |
| 40 | Air or vacuum pumps | $2,950,298,000 | +20.6% |
| 41 | Air conditioners | $2,939,465,000 | +16.8% |
| 42 | Women's clothing (not knit or crochet) | $2,874,321,000 | -3.3% |
| 43 | Optical fiber cables, sheets, plates | $2,859,302,000 | +8.7% |
| 44 | Iron ferroalloys | $2,836,503,000 | +68.4% |
| 45 | Electrical machinery | $2,784,336,000 | +2.8% |
| 46 | Heterocyclics, nucleic acids | $2,755,435,000 | -13% |
| 47 | Computer parts, accessories | $2,633,726,000 | +8.5% |
| 48 | Polyacetal/ether/carbonates | $2,589,979,000 | +34.3% |
| 49 | Electric water heaters, hair dryers | $2,583,915,000 | +14.6% |
| 50 | Sawn wood | $2,559,138,000 | +48.1% |
| 51 | Other measuring/testing machines | $2,537,512,000 | +12% |
| 52 | Fuel wood, wood chips, sawdust | $2,512,611,000 | +18.8% |
| 53 | Machinery parts | $2,492,197,000 | +37.8% |
| 54 | TV receiver/transmit/digital cameras | $2,479,721,000 | +7% |
| 55 | Taps, valves, similar appliances | $2,477,101,000 | +7.9% |
| 56 | Microphones/headphones/amps | $2,441,567,000 | +3.5% |
| 57 | Miscellaneous machinery | $2,415,475,000 | +15.7% |
| 58 | Models, puzzles, miscellaneous toys | $2,410,799,000 | +17.6% |
| 59 | Electric storage batteries | $2,311,422,000 | +24.4% |
| 60 | Crustaceans (including lobsters) | $2,254,306,000 | +14.4% |
| 61 | Fresh or chilled beef | $2,198,141,000 | +12.1% |
| 62 | Miscellaneous articles, dress patterns | $2,188,220,000 | -58.4% |
| 63 | Centrifuges, filters and purifiers | $2,124,774,000 | +15.4% |
| 64 | T-shirts, vests (knit or crochet) | $2,078,127,000 | -3.2% |
| 65 | Table games, bowling equipment | $2,069,020,000 | +9.7% |
| 66 | Soya beans | $2,067,904,000 | +38.7% |
| 67 | Miscellaneous iron and steel structures | $2,030,000,000 | +6.8% |
| 68 | Plastic packing goods, lids, caps | $2,028,085,000 | -0.4% |
| 69 | Piston engine parts | $1,981,787,000 | +31.1% |
| 70 | Cigars/cigarellos, cigarettes | $1,942,027,000 | -13.3% |
| 71 | Jewelry | $1,929,726,000 | +23.6% |
| 72 | Electric motors, generators | $1,911,181,000 | +19.9% |
| 73 | Silver (unwrought) | $1,902,783,000 | +52.7% |
| 74 | Men's suits, trousers (not knit or crochet) | $1,902,226,000 | -10.7% |
| 75 | Nickel matte, oxide sinters | $1,855,001,000 | +21.3% |
| 76 | Physical/chemical analysis tools | $1,848,563,000 | +14.1% |
| 77 | Plastic plates, sheets, film, tape, strips | $1,822,701,000 | +16.3% |
| 78 | Regulate/control instruments | $1,820,060,000 | +0.2% |
| 79 | Footwear (textile) | $1,783,163,000 | +1.1% |
| 80 | Wheat | $1,780,816,000 | +16.8% |
| 81 | Transmission shafts, gears, clutches | $1,770,079,000 | +21.9% |
| 82 | Wrist/pocket watches (no precious metal case) | $1,761,626,000 | +8.6% |
| 83 | Wood carpentry, builders' joinery | $1,722,308,000 | +21.5% |
| 84 | Wine | $1,702,051,000 | +8.7% |
| 85 | Sports equipment | $1,698,281,000 | +16.8% |
| 86 | Miscellaneous iron or steel items | $1,686,961,000 | +15.3% |
| 87 | Chemical industry products/residuals | $1,674,268,000 | +32.2% |
| 88 | Radar, radio communication items | $1,670,950,000 | -0.04% |
| 89 | Hydrogen, rare gases | $1,643,748,000 | +44.5% |
| 90 | Fish, caviar (preserved/prepared) | $1,636,559,000 | +4.4% |
| 91 | Liquid pumps and elevators | $1,613,314,000 | +14.7% |
| 92 | Rape/colza seeds | $1,598,075,000 | +65.4% |
| 93 | X-ray equipment | $1,587,663,000 | +21.8% |
| 94 | Ethers | $1,585,763,000 | +23.6% |
| 95 | Laminated wood (including plywood, veneer panels) | $1,574,596,000 | +33% |
| 96 | Refrigerators, freezers | $1,569,755,000 | +8.6% |
| 97 | Copper waste, scrap | $1,555,213,000 | +62.8% |
| 98 | Unrecorded sound media | $1,552,990,000 | -2.4% |
| 99 | Aircraft parts | $1,529,823,000 | -21.4% |
| 100 | Mattresses, quilts | $1,519,154,000 | +9.8% |
These 100 imported goods were worth a subtotal of US$550.5 billion or 71.6% by value for all products imported into Japan during 2021.
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:
Central Intelligence Agency, The World Factbook: Country Profiles. Accessed on March 15, 2022
Imported Consumer Products, Japan’s Top 100 Imported Consumer Products. Accessed on March 15, 2022
International Monetary Fund, Exchange Rates selected indicators (National Currency per U.S. dollar, period average). Accessed on March 15, 2022
International Trade Centre, Trade Map. Accessed on March 15, 2022
