Japan’s apparel imports recorded a decline in July 2025, slipping 4% year-on-year to $2.13 billion, according to the latest trade figures. The downturn reflects a combination of softer domestic consumption, shifting consumer preferences, and ongoing global uncertainties that continue to affect international trade flows.
While apparel imports weakened, the country’s textile yarn and fabric imports also contracted, suggesting slower demand from Japan’s manufacturing and retail segments. Analysts point out that the weakness is partly linked to higher input costs and cautious purchasing patterns among retailers, who remain wary of inventory buildup amid fluctuating consumer spending.
In contrast, Japan’s textile machinery exports posted strong growth during the same period. This rise highlights Japan’s continuing competitive edge in advanced manufacturing technology and underlines the global demand for efficient, high-quality textile production systems.
The machinery sector has become a bright spot in the country’s trade performance, helping to offset some of the drag from lower apparel and fabric imports.
Industry observers note that while short-term apparel demand may remain under pressure, Japan’s long-term textile trade fundamentals are expected to stay stable. The nation’s role as both a major importer of garments and an exporter of cutting-edge textile machinery continues to position it as a key player in the global textile supply chain.
With apparel demand fluctuating and machinery exports strengthening, Japan’s July trade data underscores a broader trend: the country’s textile industry is gradually leaning more on its technological strength to balance shifts in consumer-driven imports.
