Japan¡¯s exports of agricultural, forestry and fishery products and food totaled ?1.7 trillion in 2025, up 12.8% from the preceding year and hitting a record high for the 13th straight year, the agriculture ministry said Tuesday.
Exports to the United States rose despite the high tariff policy of the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. China-bound shipments increased even though the country¡¯s import restrictions on Japanese fishery goods remained in place.
Still, the total failed to reach the government¡¯s target of ?2 trillion for 2025.
The government in 2020 set goals of increasing such exports to ?2 trillion by 2025 and ?5 trillion by 2030. To achieve the targets, Japan needs to further diversify export destinations and strengthen supply capacity.
Exports to all top 10 destinations increased year on year.
By country and region, the United States ranked first, with exports to the country rising 13.7% to ?276.2 billion, accounting for 17.3% of the total. Green tea, including matcha, was the top export item, jumping 82.6%.
Hong Kong came second at ?222.8 billion, up 0.8%, and Taiwan third at ?181.2 billion, up 6.4%.
China placed fourth at ?179.9 billion, up 7.0%, thanks to increases for nishikigoi colored carp, beer and logs. Exports to the country grew for the first time in three years.
By product category, green tea recorded the largest increase, at ?35.7 billion, followed by scallops, at ?21.1 billion, and yellowtail at ?11.3 billion. In contrast, exports were down by ?5.9 billion for processed scallops and by ?5.8 billion for apples.
Rice exports rose 15.4% to ?13.8 billion, reflecting higher prices. In volume, rice shipments grew only modestly, by 3.2% to 46,573 tons.
The government aims to increase exports of rice, including precooked products, to about 350,000 tons by 2030.
It remains unclear, however, whether exports can be expanded more than sevenfold over the five years.
Even so, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Norikazu Suzuki sounded upbeat, saying at a news conference Tuesday, ¡°The target is achievable if the government takes the lead in further developing overseas markets.¡±
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