What was Japan's export growth in November?

Japan's exports grew by 6.1% year-on-year in November, exceeding expectations.

How did Japan's GDP perform in the third quarter?

Revised third-quarter GDP data showed Japan's economy contracted by 0.6% quarter-on-quarter.

What is the business sentiment among Japanese companies?

Sentiment among Japanese companies improved in the fourth quarter, especially for small manufacturers.

Home / Business and Economy / Japan Exports Surge 6.1%, Defying Economic Woes

Japan Exports Surge 6.1%, Defying Economic Woes

17 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Japan's November exports grew 6.1% year-on-year, beating forecasts.
Revised Q3 GDP showed a deeper contraction of 0.6% quarter-on-quarter.
Company sentiment improved in Q4, especially among small manufacturers.

Japan Exports Surge 6.1%, Defying Economic Woes

Japan's export sector demonstrated robust growth in November, with a year-on-year increase of 6.1%, marking the fastest rate since February. This performance significantly outpaced the anticipated 4.8% rise and exceeded the previous month's 3.6% growth. The encouraging export figures arrive on the heels of revised Gross Domestic Product data for the third quarter, which indicated a more substantial economic contraction than initially reported, shrinking by 0.6% quarter-on-quarter.

While trade relations with China faced renewed tensions due to geopolitical comments leading to import restrictions on Japanese seafood, the domestic business climate shows signs of recovery. The Bank of Japan's Tankan survey for the fourth quarter revealed an improvement in sentiment among Japanese companies, with small manufacturers expressing particular optimism.