In January, Japan experienced a remarkable surge in exports to China, marking a 29.2 percent increase year-on-year, according to reports from Japanese media outlet Nikkei. This surge played a significant role in Japan’s overall export growth for the month, underscoring the robust economic ties between the two nations.
The substantial rise in exports reflects growing Chinese demand and the nation’s ongoing economic recovery. It also underscores the deep economic integration between Japan and China, highlighting the resilience of their bilateral economic relations.
According to the Xinhua News Agency, Japan’s total exports for January reached 7.33 trillion yen ($48.87 billion), marking the second consecutive month of growth. The surge in exports helped Japan reduce its monthly trade deficit by half compared to the previous year, reaching 1.76 trillion yen.
Notably, shipments to China surged by 29.2 percent, while exports to the United States also saw a significant increase of 15.6 percent.
Experts observe that Japan’s substantial increase in exports to China demonstrates Japanese companies’ reluctance to follow the decoupling measures pursued by the United States. This sentiment suggests a commitment to maintaining strong economic ties with China despite external pressures.
Major traded commodities between China and Japan include chips, semiconductor components, complete sets of equipment, and transportation machinery. Despite recent export control measures announced by Japan, such as the addition of chipmaking items requiring government approval for export, the allure of the Chinese market remains compelling for Japanese businesses.
Looking ahead, the high-quality development of the Chinese economy and its vast domestic market are expected to continue driving economic and trade cooperation between China and Japan. A recent white paper from the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China revealed that over half of surveyed Japanese companies increased or maintained their investment in China last year, underscoring the resilience and attractiveness of the Chinese market.
Overall, strengthening bilateral economic and trade cooperation remains crucial for both nations and aligns with the prevailing global trend of increased connectivity and collaboration.