Japan’s exports accelerated sharply at the start of 2026, with year-over-year growth jumping to 16.8% in January 2026, up from 5.1% in December 2025. The data, updated on 17 February 2026, highlight a significant strengthening in external demand or export values compared with the same month a year earlier.
Both the current and previous readings are measured on a year-over-year basis, comparing each month’s exports to the corresponding month a year earlier. While December’s 5.1% gain already signaled positive momentum, January’s 16.8% increase indicates a substantial pickup in export performance as the new year began.
