Japan’s imports recorded a sharp turnaround in February 2026, rising 10.2% year-over-year after posting a 2.6% decline in January. The latest data, updated on 17 March 2026, highlight a significant shift in external demand or import prices compared with the same period a year earlier.
The comparison is based on year-over-year changes, with February’s figure measured against imports in February of the previous year and January’s against January a year earlier. The move from a 2.6% contraction to double‑digit growth in just one month underscores a notable acceleration in Japan’s import activity heading into late winter 2026.
