China apparel exports post strong gains in Japan

In February 2026, Japan's economy continued its moderate recovery trend. Core CPI declined from previous elevated levels to below the Bank of Japan's 2% inflation target. However, the foundation of the recovery remains fragile. On the one hand, export growth has shown signs of slowing under the impact of volatile global energy prices and weakening external demand, while the yen continues to face depreciation pressure. On the other hand, although inbound tourism overall maintained growth, the number of visitors from mainland China declined significantly. Combined with high price levels and relatively slow real wage growth, household consumption remains constrained, leaving Japan's economic outlook subject to multiple uncertainties.

During the same period, Japan's textile and apparel imports declined month-on-month. Total import volume reached 203,000 mt, down 5.8% MoM, mainly due to production fluctuations in major supplier countries around the Lunar New Year holiday, as well as the front-loading of some spring stocking orders into January. However, due to a relatively low base in the same period last year, imports still recorded a 18.8% YoY increase. In value terms, total imports amounted to 408.15 billion yen, down 5.7% MoM but up 23.1% YoY.

On a cumulative basis, total textile and apparel imports reached 418,000 mt in January–February, up 7.1% YoY, with total import value at 840.87 billion yen, up 13.9% YoY.

Japan's Textile and Apparel Imports

Unit: kt, 100 million yen

From a sourcing perspective, imports from China showed strong growth. In February, imports from China totaled 111,000 mt, down 3.5% MoM but up 45.5% YoY, while import value reached 209.92 billion yen, up 0.2% MoM and 50.8% YoY. Cumulatively, imports from China reached 227,000 mt (+14.5% YoY) and 419.5 billion yen (+16.9% YoY), indicating continued expansion of China's market share.

Apparel products remained the dominant category. In February, Japan imported 77,000 mt of apparel, down 4.4% MoM but up 26.2% YoY, with import value at 308.02 billion yen, down 5.0% MoM and up 23.6% YoY, reflecting still-resilient end-consumption demand.

Notably, a divergence emerged among major suppliers. While Japan's overall apparel import volume declined by 4.4% MoM, imports from China increased by 1.7% MoM to 43,000 mt. This divergence was mainly driven by the faster post-holiday recovery of production in China, the concentrated delivery of orders after the Lunar New Year, and restocking demand from Japanese companies ahead of the spring season. In contrast, exports to Japan from countries such as Vietnam and Bangladesh generally declined month-on-month, reflecting structural differences in post-holiday supply chain recovery and order fulfillment cycles across regions.

Overall, Japan's textile and apparel imports weakened in the short term in February due to seasonal factors. However, supported by a low base and resilient end-market demand, year-on-year growth remained strong. Leveraging its advantages in rapid production recovery and order execution, China's supply chain outperformed and further increased its market share in exports to Japan. The trends in overseas demand, exchange rate movements, and production cycles among key supplier countries will continue to shape Japan's textile and apparel import dynamics.