Japan is one of the most highly developed countries in the world. The volume of industrial production and the size of GDP brought the country to the 3rd place in the world. High technologies are especially developed here; they make up the bulk of Japan's exports. But the country has to import some goods from abroad.
Goods entering Japan
There are practically no natural resources throughout Japan, so the country is forced to import raw materials, energy resources, as well as numerous goods from foreign countries. The Japanese import structure is represented by machinery and equipment, various chemical products, textiles, products and raw materials.
In the country, only about 15% of the land is used for agricultural work, which explains the fact that Japan imports half of the grain and forage crops, excluding rice. The country is in one of the leading places in the world for the import of wheat. And in 2014 it is going to exceed these purchases by another 4 million tons.
A significant part of the meat consumed by the Japanese is also imported, mainly beef.
The imported raw material is represented by natural fuel. Japan's oil is supplied mainly by the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
Foreign trade balance deficit
Despite the large volumes of exports, Japan has a foreign trade deficit for the third year already. This is because the country has significantly increased its energy imports. This is due to the closure of nuclear power units after the explosion at Fukushima in 2011, as well as natural disasters - a large-scale earthquake and tsunami.
Previously, nuclear power plants accounted for 30% of electricity production. High dependence on oil and gas supplies led to the fact that their imports increased by 18% - in the amount of $ 133 billion. Liquefied natural gas purchases accounted for a third of its global production. Gas is used for thermal power plants, as well as fuel for cars. Today, imports exceed exports in the country.
In order to reduce fuel purchases, 10 power units of nuclear power plants are going to resume operation in Japan.
In addition to energy resources, Japan in 2013 increased imports of diamonds by 20%, as well as purchases of wood. The country has deposits of minerals, but is poor in metals. 100% of copper, aluminum and iron ore are imported from abroad.
In the first place in imports of Japan are the states of southeast Asia, the countries of the European Union, the share of imports of goods from Australia and Russia is increasing. But the United States has remained Japan's main trading partner for many years - about 30% of Japanese exports are sold on the American market and 20% of imports are provided.
