Japan’s Apparel Imports Drop in May

According to provisional statistics as compiled by The Japan Textiles Importers Association based on Japanese Ministry of Finance trade statistics, May Japanese imports of apparel fell 28.9% in weight and 32.7% in value to 49,855 tons worth 140,696 million yen.

Apparel imports dropped in February, but showed a recovery in March and April.

Imports from China declined by 23.1% and 26.0%, respectively. The share of Chinese apparel in total imports exceeded 60%: 65.8% in tons and 62.2% in value.

Imports from ASEAN decreased by 27.4% and 28.5%, respectively, and their share was 29.6% in tons and 29.9% in value.

Imports from Vietnam (the second largest supplying country) were down 24.7% and 23.1%, respectively.

Imports from Indonesia (which rose to third) declined by 19.8% and 28.8%, respectively.

(Refer to table in Statistics section.)