In the first half of 2023, Japan’s apparel import sector experienced a decline in weight-wise imports but a substantial increase in their overall value. The data revealed a fascinating trend where import prices played a pivotal role in driving up the total value of apparel imports, overshadowing a slight dip in the quantity of goods brought into the country.
According to trade statistics, Japan’s expenditure on apparel imports reached US $ 10.13 billion during H1 ’23, signifying a significant 9.49 per cent year-on-year surge. This growth was largely attributed to the inflated import prices, which strategically offset a 1.56 per cent decline in weight-wise imports.
Breaking down the H1 ’23 numbers further, the first quarter marked a substantial contribution to Japan’s apparel imports, accounting for US $ 5.83 billion in value. However, the subsequent quarter, Q2 ’23, exhibited a slightly slower pace, with imports amounting to US $ 4.30 billion.
Delving into the origins of these imports, India, Bangladesh, and China emerged as significant players, amplifying their apparel shipments to Japan in terms of value. Notably, India managed to weather a decline in weight-wise exports by 2.12 per cent, while remarkably increasing its exports’ value by an impressive 13.56 per cent.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh faced a weight-wise export contraction of 5.92 per cent, yet demonstrated resilience by elevating the value of its shipments by 4.58 per cent.
Vietnam showcased a robust performance in the Japanese apparel market. The country experienced a commendable 5.20 per cent boost in weight-wise exports to Japan, signaling its growing influence in the region. More strikingly, the value of Vietnam’s exports saw a substantial 22.50 per cent year-on-year surge, reflecting the country’s adeptness in producing sought-after garments.
Bharat Tex Special Report 2026 
