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A cornerstone of the Line's North Asia Service,
the ports of Yokohama and Osaka are called
at every 15 days with alternating vessels calling at Nagoya monthly. Tasman Orient representatives in Tokyo and Osaka with support from the Line's general agent
ensure closest attention is paid to our customer's requirements.
Economic Indicator
| Population |
127.72 million (2005) |
| GDP |
JPY 557 trillion (2003) |
| GDP
Growth Rate |
2.7% (2003) |
| GDP Per Capita
|
US$32,610 (2004) |
| Inflation |
-0.3% (2003) |
| Total Imports |
JPY 49,176 billion (2004) |
| Total Exports |
JPY 61,182 billion (2004) |
| Currency |
Yen |
Sources: Monthly Statistics Japan, Ministry of Finance
Overview
Japan is the world's second largest economy and a dominant economic force in Asia with tremendous influence in regional trade and investment flows. The country's influence on world trade is also significant due to the size and sophistication of its export industries, and its high level of overseas manufacturing investment.
The Japanese economy was stagnant through much of the 1990's, however growth in exports, GDP, capital investment and consumer confidence all point to sustained economic recovery.
Japan remains a consumer superpower and the world's largest net importer of foodstuffs. The market is increasingly competitive, a fact driven by a strong domestic manufacturing base (in many sectors), proximity to Asian supply sources and the attention that the relatively wealthy Japanese consumer draws from suppliers world-wide.
Japan is New Zealand's third largest export market. Exports are becoming increasingly diversified, extending beyond traditional agricultural products to education services, software and manufacturing solutions. There are 30 New Zealand export line items worth more than NZ$10 million and 50 items worth more than NZ$1 million.
Social changes in Japan over the last decade have included increased spending on quality of life/leisure related activities. Discount retailing is flourishing and there is a growing trend towards 'value-shopping' whereby consumers are demanding higher quality at lower prices. Furthermore, the Japanese are becoming highly receptive to foreign products and are selecting an ever-widening range of ingredients and foods, including ready-made meals. Interest in food safety has risen considerably at consumer level over the last two years.
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Japan's
Top Ten Exports for year ending December 2004 (JPY billions)
| TOTAL |
61,182 |
| Electrical Machinery |
13,305
|
| Vehicles, not railway |
12,753 |
| Machinery |
12,492 |
| Optical,
medical instruments |
3,937 |
| Iron
and steel |
2,292 |
| Organic
chemicals |
1,783 |
| Plastic
|
1,662 |
| Ships
and boats |
1,323 |
| Rubber
|
851 |
| Iron
and steel products |
830 |
Source: WTA
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Japan's
Top Ten Imports for year ending December 2004 (JPY billions)
| Total imports |
49,176 |
| Mineral
fuel, oil, etc |
10,749 |
| Electrical Machinery
|
6,246 |
| Machinery
|
5,259 |
| Optical,
medical instruments |
1,926 |
| Vehicles, not railway |
1,467 |
| Fish and seafood |
1,243 |
| Woven apparel |
1,217 |
| Wood |
1,251 |
| Organic chemicals |
1,155 |
| Ores |
1,089 |
Source: WTA
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New
Zealand's Top Ten Exports to Japan y/e December 2004 (NZ$ million)
| Total exports |
3,444 |
| Aluminium
|
570 |
| Wood
|
532 |
| Meat |
355 |
| Fruit |
257 |
| Dairy |
257 |
| Methanol |
247 |
| Fish and seafood |
158 |
| Vegetables |
135 |
| Casein / albumins / proteins |
131 |
| Other foods |
121 |
Source: WTA
The above information is an excerpt from the New Zealand Trade & Enterprise Country Briefs. For a more comprehensive
account visit:
http://www.nzte.govt.nz
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