On 12 August 2026, Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry released its silk trade data for the first half of the year. The semi-annual report reveals a shifting market landscape.
Overall: Imports Up Nearly 10%, Exports Slip Slightly
From January to June, Japan's total silk goods trade reached USD 1.066 billion, up 8.74% year-on-year.
The import and export trends diverged sharply: exports fell 3.94% to USD 74.38 million, while imports grew 9.82% to USD 991 million. Imports were 13 times the size of exports – Japan is clearly a silk-consuming nation, not a producer.
Import Pattern: China Holds Top Spot, Vietnam Slows, Cambodia Surges
China remains Japan's largest supplier. Imports from China reached USD 468 million, up 15.01%, accounting for 47.19% of Japan's total silk imports. Nearly half of every dollar spent on imported silk in Japan goes to China.
Vietnam ranks second with USD 202 million, a 20.35% share, but down 4.08% year-on-year. This is the first time in recent years that Vietnam has seen a decline in exports to Japan. Vietnamese raw silk (-28.39%) and fabric (-4.65%) both fell, while finished products remained stable.
Cambodia is the fastest-growing source. Imports surged 41.60% to USD 81.9 million, climbing from fifth place last year to fourth. Bangladesh (+19.42%), Myanmar (+16.80%), and Indonesia (+24.27%) also posted solid growth.
Japan's imports of finished silk products (garments, scarves, ties) grew 11.04%, while raw silk fell 12.06% and fabrics fell 4.96%. The Japanese market is moving toward finished apparel, not raw materials.
Exports: China and Vietnam Top Destinations
Japan's silk goods exports totalled USD 74.38 million, down 3.94%. The top two destinations were China (USD 27.06 million, 36.38%) and Vietnam (USD 19.18 million, 25.78%), together accounting for over 62% of exports.
Exports to the EU grew 66.88% and to the US 17.47%, though from smaller bases. Japanese finished silk products to the EU surged 75.17% and to the US 34.27% – demand for high-end Japanese silk goods remains solid in Western markets.
A notable detail: Japan's raw silk exports increased 65.97% to USD 3.27 million. Exports to the EU grew 165.58%, with a unit price of USD 217.66/kg – far higher than the USD 71.77/kg exported to China. This suggests Japan exports premium specialty raw silk, not standard grades.
Implications for the Chinese Silk Industry
1. The Japanese market is still worth pursuing. Japan imports nearly USD 1 billion in silk goods, and China holds a 47% share with growth (15.01%) above the overall import growth rate (9.82%). Japan is a top-three global silk consumer market alongside the US and EU.
2. Southeast Asian competition is intensifying. Vietnam's exports to Japan have declined, but Cambodia, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Indonesia are all growing rapidly. These countries share low labour costs and tariff preferences with Japan. Chinese suppliers need to move up the value chain rather than compete on price in the low-end segment.
3. Finished product opportunities are increasing. Japan's imports of finished silk products grew 11.04%, far outpacing raw silk and fabrics. Japanese brands are expanding their sourcing of finished garments from overseas. For Chinese suppliers with garment-making capabilities, this could be an opening.
4. Watch Japan's premium raw silk segment. Japan's raw silk export price of USD 217/kg shows Japan still has an irreplaceable advantage in high-end specialty silk. Chinese silk companies may look to learn from Japan's techniques and brand premium in this area.
Japan's silk trade pattern is shifting – China remains the mainstay, but Southeast Asian countries are chipping away at the share. For Chinese silk suppliers, consolidating quality advantages and shifting toward higher-value products will be key to staying competitive.
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