The NYK Venus container ship, operated by Nippon Yusen KK, moored at the Oi Container Terminal in Tokyo, Japan, on Tuesday, July 8, 2025.
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Japan exports in June grew at their fastest pace since November 2022, rising 19.3% from a year earlier, powered by shipments of semiconductor equipment and a weak yen.
Exports growth beat expectations of an 18.6% rise from economists polled by Reuters, and was higher than the 16.8% seen in May.
Japan's exports have been boosted by shipments of semiconductor equipment, with the AI boom lifting shares of domestic tech companies including Tokyo Electron, Renesas Electronics and Advantest between 50% and 93% so far this year.
Exports remain one of Japan's main economic drivers, with its economy growing 0.5% sequentially in the first quarter and at a revised 1.8% on an annualized basis.
Japan's imports soared 25.4% year on year in June, also the highest growth rate since November 2022 and beating expectations of a 21% jump.
The Bank of Japan noted in its monetary policy meeting in June that overseas economies are experiencing an upswing due to AI demand. As such, for Japan, "the deterioration in the terms of trade has been mitigated, and concerns over an economic slowdown have subsided."
The weak yen has also played a part the strong export performance. The currency has weakened to multi-decade lows, and is currently hovering at 163 against the dollar.
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