Japan imported 849.785 billion yen of textile yarn and fabrics in 2013, registering an increase of 19 percent year-on-year, according to the trade statistics released by the Ministry of Finance.

 

On the other hand, the imports of clothing and accessories by Japan during the same period were valued at 3.247 trillion yen, showing an increase of 21.1 percent year-on-year, the data showed.

 

The increase in imports of both textile yarn and fabrics as well as clothing and accessories was greater than the 15 percent year-on-year rise shown in overall imports made by Japan during January-December 2013 period.

 

Region/country-wise, Japan’s textile yarn and fabric imports from the US during the 12-month period were worth 21.702 billion yen, up 14.7 percent year-on-year; while those from the EU grew by 22.4 percent year-on-year to 62.142 billion yen; and from Asia by 18.8 percent year-on-year to 747.151 billion yen.

 

Among the Asian region, China accounted for 493.429 billion yen worth of textile yarn and fabric imports made by Japan, while the Asean region contributed 144.016 billion yen, and the Middle East region 5.241 billion yen.

 

Japan’s clothing and accessories imports from the US climbed 21.8 percent year-on-year to 19.667 billion, whereas imports from the EU jumped 25.3 percent year-on-year to 154.046 billion yen and from Asia by 20.9 percent year-on-year to 3.037 trillion yen.

 

Within Asia, China accounted for the largest share of 2.423 trillion yen worth of apparel and accessories imported by Japan, showing a growth of 17.2 percent year-on-year, whereas the Asean region supplied 496.079 billion yen worth of products, registering a surge of 41 percent year-on-year.

 

The figures clearly show a small shift in Japanese garment and accessories imports from China to the Asean nations.