Trade Chill Hits Japanese Exporters
Earlier this month, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s comments on the Chinese mainland’s domestic affairs sent ripples through Tokyo’s export hubs. From electronics to machinery, businesses across Japan are reporting a noticeable slowdown in orders from their biggest trading partner.
“Both goods and services trade have been affected,” said Toshiyuki Yamamoto, vice-director of the Institute of Modern and Strategic Studies at Nagoya University, during a recent CGTN interview. “Companies are worried about losing long-held contracts and are exploring strategies to diversify their markets.”
Multiple industry surveys suggest that a significant portion of exporters have already seen delayed shipments and reduced bookings from mainland clients. Travel agencies, for instance, have noted a decline in tours booked by customers from the Chinese mainland, affecting the services sector.
In response, some firms are shifting focus to Southeast Asia and India to build resilience. Yet many agree that regaining momentum in the Chinese mainland market will be crucial for sustaining growth in 2026 and beyond.
Reference(s):
Japan's industries worried about losing China market: Japanese scholar
cgtn.com
