Japan was the European Union's 7th largest partner for imports in 2018 (4% of total extra-EU imports) and the 6th largest partner for EU exports (3% of total extra-EU exports).
From 2008 to 2018, the EU ran a trade deficit with Japan (meaning that the EU imported more than it exported), reaching a deficit of €5.7 billion in 2018.
EU exports to Japan were dominated by "machinery and vehicles", "chemicals" and "other manufactured goods", which together accounted for 84% of EU exports to Japan in 2018. These categories dominated imports even more, making up 96% of EU imports from Japan. At a more detailed level, "cars and motor vehicles" were both the EU’s most exported product to Japan and the EU's most imported product from Japan.
Germany: main trader with Japan among the Member States
Among the Member States in 2018, Germany was the largest importer of goods from Japan (€17 billion) and also the main exporter of goods to Japan (€21 billion).
For further information:
- Statistics Explained article Japan-EU international trade in goods statistics
- Overview of statistics on international trade in goods
To contact us, please visit our User Support page.
For press queries, please contact our Media Support.