Country profile
Japan
A major exporter of vehicles, machinery, electronics and precision equipment, and a large importer of energy.
Updated 10 November 2026. Sources at the bottom of the page.
- Capital
- Tokyo
- Population
- 122.7 million (2026)
- Currency
- Japanese yen (JPY)
- GDP, 2026
- US$4.34 trillion
- Exports, 2025
- US$738.3 billion
- Exchange rate
- 1 USD = 158.0 JPY (9 Nov 2026)
Economy
IMF World Economic Outlook, October 2026. 2026 and 2027 are IMF projections.
0.7%Real GDP growth, 2026
0.7%Real GDP growth, 2027
2%Inflation, 2026
2.5%Unemployment, 2026
199.4% of GDPGovernment debt, 2026
4.6% of GDPCurrent account, 2026
Trade
Top export markets
Share of the country’s exports, 2025
- United States (18.6%)
- China (17%)
- Taiwan (7.2%)
- South Korea (6.3%)
- Hong Kong (5.8%)
Main exports
Product groups, share of exports
- Vehicles (20.2%)
- Machinery, including computers (17.7%)
- Electrical machinery and equipment (14.4%)
- Optical, technical and medical apparatus (5%)
- Gems and precious metals (4.1%)
Main trade agreements
- Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)
- Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)
- EU–Japan Economic Partnership Agreement
- UK–Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
- US–Japan Trade Agreement
Trade policy to watch
- Economic security: Japan’s Economic Security Promotion Act supports stable supply of critical goods such as semiconductors, batteries and critical minerals.
- Export controls: Japan restricts exports of some advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
- Weak yen: at about 158 yen per US dollar, imports are expensive for Japanese buyers and Japanese exports are cheaper abroad.
Energy
Japan imports almost all of its oil, natural gas and coal. LNG and coal produce most of its electricity, with a growing share from renewables and restarted nuclear plants.
What it means for your supply chain
- Japanese suppliers are a common source for precision components, specialty materials and semiconductor equipment.
- Lead times for specialised Japanese components can be long; plan orders early.
- The weak yen can make Japanese sourcing cheaper in US dollar terms.
Sources
- IMF, World Economic Outlook, October 2026: GDP, growth, inflation, unemployment, government debt, current account (2026 and 2027 are projections).
- IMF, World Economic Outlook database: population (2026 estimate).
- World’s Top Exports, 2025: export markets (shares as listed by the source, based on 2024 data) and main exports.
- Bank of Canada, daily exchange rates, 9 November 2026 (cross rates calculated from CAD rates).
- Energy Institute, Statistical Review of World Energy 2026: energy profile.
Figures are the latest published at the time of the update and may since have been revised. This page is for general information, not investment or legal advice.