China-Japan Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023

Complete trade statistics: $293.30B total volume โ€ขChina surplus: $38.14B

China โ†’ Japan

$165.72B

Exports (2023)

Japan โ†’ China

$127.58B

Imports (2023)

Trade Balance

$38.14B

Surplus for China

Total Trade

$293.30B

Combined Volume

Trade Flow Visualization

Direct trade relationship between China and Japan. Green line shows exports from China, red line shows imports.

Detailed Product Trade Analysis

Comprehensive breakdown of trade flows by product category, revealing the specialized nature of the China-Japan commercial relationship and competitive positioning in global markets.

China โ†’ Japan Exports

$165.72B
2023 Total

Export Market Intelligence

Product Diversity:
Highly Diversified
Market Share:
8.9% top product
1Telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks
$14.77B
8.9% of exports
2Automatic data processing machines: portable, weighing not more than 10kg, consisting of at least a central processing unit, a keyboard and a display
$6.74B
4.1% of exports
3Communication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations): machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data, including switching and routing apparatus
$3.07B
1.9% of exports
4Games: video game consoles and machines, other than those of subheading 9504.30
$2.23B
1.3% of exports
5Electric accumulators: lithium-ion, including separators, whether or not rectangular (including square)
$2.22B
1.3% of exports
6Tricycles, scooters, pedal cars and similar wheeled toys: dolls' carriages: dolls: other toys: reduced-size (scale) models and similar recreational models, working or not: puzzles of all kinds
$2.11B
1.3% of exports
7Units of automatic data processing machines: processing units other than those of item no. 8471.41 or 8471.49, whether or not containing in the same housing one or two of the following types of unit: storage units, input units or output units
$1.82B
1.1% of exports
8Jerseys, pullovers, cardigans, waistcoats and similar articles: of man-made fibres, knitted or crocheted
$1.69B
1.0% of exports
9Electrical static converters
$1.66B
1.0% of exports
10Electrical apparatus: photosensitive, including photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled in modules or made up into panels, light-emitting diodes (LED)
$1.59B
1.0% of exports

๐ŸŽฏ Strategic Export Focus

China's export portfolio to Japan demonstrates strong diversification across multiple sectors, with telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.

Japan โ†’ China Imports

$127.58B
2023 Total

Import Dependency Profile

Supply Diversity:
Well Diversified
Critical Imports:
5.8% concentration
1Machines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the manufacture of semiconductor devices or of electronic integrated circuits
$7.46B
5.8% of imports
2Electronic integrated circuits: memories
$4.81B
3.8% of imports
3Vehicles: with both spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine and electric motor for propulsion, incapable of being charged by plugging to external source of electric power
$3.89B
3.0% of imports
4Electronic integrated circuits: processors and controllers, whether or not combined with memories, converters, logic circuits, amplifiers, clock and timing circuits, or other circuits
$3.03B
2.4% of imports
5Vehicle parts: gear boxes and parts thereof
$2.34B
1.8% of imports
6Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000cc
$2.31B
1.8% of imports
7Copper: waste and scrap
$2.14B
1.7% of imports
8Cosmetic and toilet preparations: n.e.c. in heading no. 3304, for the care of the skin (excluding medicaments, including sunscreen or sun tan preparations)
$2.07B
1.6% of imports
9Electrical capacitors: fixed, ceramic dielectric, multilayer
$1.70B
1.3% of imports
10Machines and mechanical appliances: having individual functions, n.e.c. or included in this chapter
$1.66B
1.3% of imports

๐Ÿ“ฆ Import Strategy Analysis

China's import pattern from Japan reveals strategic sourcingin machines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the manufacture of semiconductor devices or of electronic integrated circuits, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.

Competitive Trade Position Analysis

๐Ÿ†

Market Leadership

China demonstrates competitive strength in exportingtelephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks to Japan, leveraging comparative advantages.

Export Leader in 20+ Categories
๐Ÿ”„

Trade Complementarity

The bilateral relationship showsstrongcomplementarity, with each country specializing in different sectors.

Highly Balanced
๐Ÿ“ˆ

Growth Potential

The $293.30B trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.

Major Partnership

Executive Summary: China-Japan Trade Relationship

Key Trade Highlights 2023

  • Total Trade Volume: $293.30 billionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
  • Trade Balance: China maintains a surplus of $38.14 billion
  • Export Focus: China's primary exports include telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks, automatic data processing machines: portable, weighing not more than 10kg, consisting of at least a central processing unit, a keyboard and a display, communication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations): machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data, including switching and routing apparatus
  • Import Dependencies: Key imports from Japan include machines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the manufacture of semiconductor devices or of electronic integrated circuits, electronic integrated circuits: memories, vehicles: with both spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine and electric motor for propulsion, incapable of being charged by plugging to external source of electric power

Strategic Trade Indicators

Trade IntensityHigh
Export DiversificationDiversified
Trade Balance HealthBalanced

๐Ÿ“ˆ Market Position: This bilateral trade relationship represents one of the world's largest trade partnerships, with complementary economic strengths driving sustained commercial exchange.

Historical Trade Analysis & Economic Context

Trade Evolution Timeline

2019-2023: Recent Trends

Current trade volume of $293.30B represents the culmination of evolving bilateral commercial relationships, influenced by global supply chain shifts and changing economic priorities.

2015-2019: Growth Period

Sustained expansion in bilateral trade driven by complementary economic structures, with China leveraging its comparative advantages in telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks.

2010-2015: Foundation Building

Establishment of modern trade frameworks and reduction of barriers, facilitating increased commercial exchange and investment flows between the two economies.

Pre-2010: Early Development

Initial stages of bilateral trade relationship development, with focus on traditional export-import patterns and gradual market integration.

Key Economic Drivers

1

Comparative Advantage

China's specialization in telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networkscomplements Japan's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.

2

Supply Chain Integration

Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in machines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the manufacture of semiconductor devices or of electronic integrated circuits.

3

Market Access & Trade Policy

Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $293.30B bilateral relationship.

Trade Pattern Insights

Trade ComplementarityAsymmetric
Seasonal VariationsModerate
Product ConcentrationLow
Market DependencyModerate
๐Ÿ”ฎ

Trade Relationship Outlook

The $293.30B bilateral trade volume positions this relationship for continued growth, supported by technological advancement, evolving consumer preferences, and strengthening economic ties. Key opportunities lie in expanding cooperation in emerging sectors while managing potential supply chain vulnerabilities.

Economic Impact & Strategic Outlook

Economic Impact Assessment

๐Ÿ’ฐ

Trade Volume Impact

The $293.30 billion bilateral trade volume represents a major economic driverfor both economies.

Economic Significance: Critical
๐Ÿญ

Industrial Integration

Trade flows in telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks and machines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the manufacture of semiconductor devices or of electronic integrated circuits demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.

Supply Chain Integration: Diversified
โš–๏ธ

Trade Balance Effects

China's trade surplus of $38.14 billion strengthens its overall economic position in this bilateral relationship.

Balance Impact: Well Balanced

Strategic Future Outlook

๐Ÿš€Growth Opportunities

Emerging Sectors
Technology transfer and innovation cooperation in automatic data processing machines: portable, weighing not more than 10kg, consisting of at least a central processing unit, a keyboard and a display present expansion opportunities.
Market Diversification
Beyond current focus on machines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the manufacture of semiconductor devices or of electronic integrated circuits, new product categories offer potential for trade expansion.

โš ๏ธRisk Factors

Supply Chain Vulnerabilities
Moderate concentration in key sectors requires monitoring
Market Competition
Global competition in telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks may affect future market positioning.

๐ŸŽฏStrategic Recommendations

  • Strengthen cooperation in high-value sectors beyond current trade patterns
  • Develop alternative supply chains to reduce dependency risks
  • Explore joint ventures in emerging technology sectors
  • Enhance trade facilitation and reduce transaction costs

Market Position & Competitive Summary

The bilateral trade relationship between China and Japan represents a total trade volume of $293.30 billion in 2023. This partnership demonstrates a favorable trade balance for China, with exports exceeding importsby $38.14 billion.

Export Strengths

China's exports to Japan total $165.72 billion, with competitive advantages in telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks, representing $14.77B or8.9% of bilateral exports.

Import Dependencies

Imports from Japan amount to $127.58 billion, highlighting economic interdependence in machines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the manufacture of semiconductor devices or of electronic integrated circuits, with Machines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the manufacture of semiconductor devices or of electronic integrated circuits comprising5.8% of total imports.

The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade surplus indicates China's competitive position in this bilateral relationship. This partnership is characterized by complementary trade flows, with each country specializing in different product categories based on their respective economic strengths, industrial capabilities, and position in global value chains.

Download Bilateral Trade Data

Access detailed trade data between China and Japan in multiple formats.

Data Source: CEPII BACI (Base pour l'Analyse du Commerce International) โ€ข Last Updated: January 2025 โ€ข Coverage: 1995-2023