Semiconductor & Electronic Components Trade Trends
Japan's semiconductor and electronic components (HS Chapter 85) import/export data, top trading partners, and monthly trends from real-time trade statistics.
Last updated: 2026-05-25
Semiconductors are the critical infrastructure underpinning modern industry, representing one of the largest categories in Japan's trade statistics for both exports and imports. HS Chapter 85 covers discrete semiconductors such as diodes and transistors (8541) as well as integrated circuits including ICs, LSIs, memory chips, and microcontrollers (8542). Japan holds world-class competitive strength in advanced manufacturing equipment and materials (photoresists, high-purity gases, etc.), yet imports the majority of leading-edge logic ICs from Taiwan and South Korea — making this a trade-deficit category in many months.
The sector is heavily influenced by the global semiconductor cycle (silicon cycle), with value swings of tens of percent driven by shifts in worldwide demand. The 2020–2022 chip shortage constrained automotive and consumer electronics production globally, prompting countries to accelerate domestic manufacturing and supply diversification. Japan has made major moves in this direction, including the establishment of TSMC's Japanese subsidiary (JASM) in Kumamoto.
Export/Import Value — Past 24 Months
The monthly chart below shows Japan's semiconductor and electronic components trade values (JPY basis). The large swings characteristic of the silicon cycle are clearly visible.
Country Share of Exports/Imports (Past 12 Months)
China and Hong Kong together represent the largest export destination, followed by Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia), South Korea, and the United States. On the import side, Taiwan holds an overwhelming share, followed by China, South Korea, and the United States. Japan's high dependency on Taiwan is widely noted as a geopolitical risk factor.
- 1.People's Republic of China30.9%
- 2.Hong Kong12.2%
- 3.United States of America7.6%
- 4.Malaysia7.5%
- 5.Thailand7.0%
- 6.Taiwan5.7%
- 7.Germany5.3%
- 8.Singapore4.4%
- 9.Philippines3.9%
- 10.Republic of Korea3.0%
Latest Month Key Metrics
- 2026年5月の輸入額
- 1,221億円
- 前年同月比
- +224.0%
- 輸入数量
- 4,232,860,929
Related HS Codes
8541— Discrete semiconductors: diodes, transistors, photosensitive devices (including LEDs), etc.8542— Integrated circuits: ICs, LSIs, memory, logic, microcontrollers, etc.
Chapter 85 also includes a wide range of other electrical equipment beyond the above, such as electric motors (8501), transformers (8504), telephones (8517), and computers (8471).
- 8541Semiconductor devices (for example, diodes, transistors, semiconductor-based transducers); photosensitive semiconductor devices, including photovoltaic cells whether or not assembled in modules or made up into panels; light-emitting diodes (LED), whether or not assembled with other light-emitting diodes (LED); mounted piezo-electric crystals:
- 8542Electronic integrated circuits:
Data Source
- Japan Customs Trade Statistics (customs.go.jp)
- Kouro syncs daily at 10:00 JST following the Ministry of Finance's preliminary, revised, and 9-digit preliminary release schedule
Data shown on this page reflects the latest values retrieved daily by Kouro from Japan Customs Trade Statistics. Last updated: 2026-05-25