Marketplace All-in-One Japan posts strong export numbers
Feb 18, 2026
Surinjana Tuari, BBC correspondent covering Asian economic news, breaks down Japan’s 16.8% export surge and how Lunar New Year demand lifted shipments across Asia. She covers the odd rise in exports despite a plunge in Chinese tourism. Tuari also outlines recent US-Japan trade investment pledges and regional trade ripples.
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Lunar New Year Front-Loads Exports
- Japan's exports surged in January largely due to strong demand across Asia ahead of the Lunar New Year.
- Exports rose to China by 32% and to the EU by 30%, showing front-loading before the holidays.
Export Spike Doesn't Equal Broad Recovery
- Strong export figures contrast with Japan's weak overall growth in Q4, which missed forecasts due to weak exports and capital expenditure.
- The export spike appears timing-driven rather than signaling broad economic recovery.
Trade Rises While Tourism Falls
- Exports rose despite a 60.7% plunge in Chinese tourist visits to Japan in January, showing trade and tourism moved differently.
- Diplomatic tensions over comments about Taiwan have cut group tours even as goods shipments were front-loaded.