Japan thrives on exports in the global market. Before the Port of Gdansk Business Mixer in Tokyo
By Japan thrives on global exports and imports, which flow through numerous seaports. Seafood was a key export, and the Chinese market was a major buyer. China partially lifted the ban on Japanese seafood imports in mid-2025. Seafood imports from Japan to China had been banned since 2023 following the discharge of wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant.
This summer, Beijing announced that it would “conditionally resume” imports from Japan, except for 10 of the country’s 47 prefectures, including Tokyo and Fukushima, reported Shaimaa Khalil, a BBC correspondent from Tokyo. Samples taken during long-term monitoring of water contaminated with fissile materials from Fukushima “revealed no abnormalities,” the Chinese General Administration of Customs announced on June 29.
Japanese exports in 2022 and 2024. Source: Nippon.com
As a reminder, in 2011, a tsunami flooded three reactors at the Fukushima nuclear power plant, located in northeastern Japan. This was considered the world’s worst nuclear power plant disaster since Chernobyl. Three of the plant’s six nuclear reactors melted down during the tsunami, causing significant damage to the facility. Over the years, over a million tons of treated wastewater accumulated there. It is worth recalling this event and its consequences before the construction of a Polish nuclear power plant on the Baltic Sea.
China’s Nuclear Brake
In 2023, Japan began discharging treated wastewater into the ocean. The decision was approved by the International Atomic Energy Agency. This process is expected to take approximately 30 years. While most experts agree that discharging wastewater is safe, some scientists say there is not yet sufficient research on the potential impact on the ocean.
Beijing criticized Japan’s decision to discharge wastewater into the ocean and almost immediately banned seafood imports from the country, citing environmental and safety concerns. Previously, China was Japan’s largest seafood importer, accounting for nearly a quarter of Japan’s seafood exports, notes Osmond Chia, a BBC Business reporter from Singapore.
China’s decision to allow seafood imports from Japan came after Tokyo promised to ensure the safety and quality of its exports. However, manufacturing companies that suspended imports must now reapply for registration in China and will be subject to special oversight. China and Japan are important trading partners. However, trade takes place in the shadow of political tensions. The two countries have long had tense relations due to territorial disputes and Japan’s past occupation of parts of China.
In 2022, before the discharge of treated water, Japan’s seafood exports totaled 387.3 billion yen, of which China accounted for 87.1 billion yen, or 22.5%, making it the largest recipient of exports, according to the Trade Statistics of Japan Bureau, which is run by the Japanese Ministry of Finance. In 2024, when the ban was in effect year-round, exports to China fell to just 6.1 billion yen, including only non-food seafood products like pearls and rainbow koi (well-known among aquarists in Poland). Despite efforts to reach new markets in places like Hong Kong and the United States, total seafood exports this year were 26.4 billion yen lower than in 2022.
Japan Strong in Exports
Japan is known for its strong position in the global market, both as an importer and exporter of diverse products. According to data from the Trade Statistics of Japan, the total value of Japanese imports reached USD 743.26 billion in 2024, a 5% decrease compared to the previous year. According to data from the Japanese Ministry of Finance, the value of Japanese merchandise exports in 2024 reached USD 707.99 billion, a 2% decrease compared to 2023. Japan’s total trade value reached USD 1.45 trillion in 2024.
The most popular products imported into Japan, classified by HS codes, in 2024 were mineral fuels and oils (HS code 27). Crude oil, gas, and coal worth USD 168.77 billion were imported. These are the dominant products, also driving turnover at seaports. They constitute 22.71% of the value of Japan’s total imports, according to Treadeimex experts.
Map of Japanese ports. Source: MLIT
Electrical machinery and equipment (HS code 85) are also a significant import commodity. In 2024, $106.17 billion was spent on their imports from abroad. These products are the second largest category of products imported into Japan, accounting for 14.28% of Japan’s total imports. A significant group of products imported through Tokyo are nuclear reactors and machinery (HS code 84), worth $72.89 billion. Nuclear reactors and machinery rank third in terms of value, accounting for 9.81% of Japanese imports, according to data from the Ministry of Finance.
Fourth place in terms of value is occupied by pharmaceutical products (HS code 30), which were imported for $30.24 billion in 2024. This represents 4.07% of total imports. Although the value of pharmaceuticals is relatively low compared to other products, demand for drugs and other pharmaceutical products is generated by an active and extensive healthcare sector.
Ores, slags, and ash (HS code 26) account for 3.75% of Japan’s total imports. Japanese companies spent $27.86 billion on their imports in 2024. These raw materials are used in various industries, and their demand is primarily driven by steel production and construction.
Japan’s most popular exports include vehicles, machinery, electronic equipment, integrated circuits, pharmaceutical products, iron, and steel, among others, emphasize Treadeimex analysts. According to the Japanese Ministry of Finance’s 2024 export statistics, vehicle exports (HS code 87) ranked first in terms of export revenue, with a 21.33% share. Vehicles worth $150.99 billion were exported from Japan by ship. Turnover at maritime Ro-Ro terminals is driven by Japanese car and motorcycle manufacturers such as Toyota, Honda, and Nissan.
Nuclear reactors and machinery (HS code 84) are also a significant export item for Japan’s industrial goods. Their value reached $125.82 billion in 2024, accounting for 17.77% of the country’s total exports. Exports are targeted at highly innovative products and products derived from advanced technologies. Electrical machinery and equipment (HS code 85) is another key product group (from consumer electronics to industrial machinery) among the leading products purchased by foreign buyers. Exports valued at $101.12 billion, accounting for 14.28% of Japan’s total exports in 2024.
Trade between the EU and Japan is based on maritime transport and ports. Graphic: www.consilium.europa.eu
Japan is also a major exporter of optical, medical, and surgical instruments (HS code 90). The export value of this group of products reached USD 36.18 billion, representing 5.11% of the country’s total exports. International demand also creates demand for technologically advanced products. Iron and steel products are also important exports for Japan. Although their share is small (3.87% of total exports), they generated sales of USD 27.41 billion in 2024. Japan has particular expertise in the production of high-quality steel products, including for the shipbuilding and defense industries.
Plastics and plastic products (from packaging materials to consumer goods) accounted for 3.49% of exports, reaching a value of $24.71 billion, the country’s total exports, according to data on plastic exports by HS code in Japan. Japanese companies are known for producing a wide range of plastic products. Japan also exports precious stones and precious metals. In 2024, their share of exports amounted to 3.24%, with the export value reaching $22.94 billion.
Organic chemicals (HS code 29) are a significant export product for Japan, although they only account for 2.02% of the country’s total exports. Sales of this product group generated revenue of $14.31 billion. Copper and copper products (HS code 74) generated revenue of $13.37 billion for Japan last year, representing 1.89% of the country’s total exports.
Value of trade between Poland and Japan. Source: Export Intelligence according to Central Statistical Office data. Graph: www.trade.gov.pl
Poland-Japan Trade Imbalanced
2024 saw a significant breakthrough in Poland’s export opportunities. On July 12th, the Japanese government lifted the ban on the import of Polish poultry and egg products. This has increased the opportunities for Polish food exporters struggling with the influx of cheap products from Ukraine. Polish producers are well-suited to the demand of Japanese companies and consumers.
The main groups of goods exported to Japan include: agri-food products – including poultry and dairy products; machinery and mechanical equipment – which are gaining increasing recognition in the Japanese market; and chemicals and chemical products – according to www.trade.gov.pl. In 2024, the value of Polish exports to Japan reached approximately USD 1.2 billion. Polish imports in 2024 reached approximately USD 2.5 billion. The main categories of goods imported from Japan include passenger cars and car parts, electronics and telecommunications equipment, and industrial machinery and equipment.
The European Union’s trade with Japan is different. Here, the EU enjoys a revenue surplus. In 2024, the value of trade in goods and services exceeded €190 billion. Nearly one-third of turnover is spent on services (€61.7 billion). Poland benefits from the Economic Partnership Agreement with Japan, signed over five years ago by the EU and Japan. It eliminates 99% of customs duties for the EU and 97% of customs duties for Japan.
The Council of the European Union reports that “compared to 2018 (the last year before the agreement), total trade between the EU and Japan increased by nearly 20%. Trade in goods increased by over 11%, and trade in services by over 42%. In July 2024, the agreement was supplemented with new provisions on cross-border data flows.” They have provided benefits to companies operating in industries such as financial services, transportation, machinery and e-commerce.