Japan

Japan flag

Map of Japan

General Overview

Population:

126,475,664 (July 2011 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity):

US $4.338 trillion (2010 est.)

GDP per capita (PPP):

US $34,200 (2010 est.)

GDP (real growth rate):

3% (2010 est.)

Industries:

  • Motor vehicles
  • Electronic equipment
  • Machine tools
  • Steel and nonferrous metals
  • Ships
  • Chemicals
  • Textiles
  • Processed foods

Imports:

US $636.8 billion (2010 est.)

Import commodities:

  • Machinery and equipment
  • Fuels
  • Foodstuffs
  • Chemicals
  • Textiles
  • Raw materials

Exports:

US $765.2 billion (2010 est.)

Export commodities:

  • Transport equipment
  • Motor vehicles
  • Semiconductors
  • Electrical machinery
  • Chemicals

Alberta's exports to Japan:

CDN $1,504.1 million (2010)

Alberta's main exports to Japan:

  • Canola
  • Coal
  • Wheat
  • Pork
  • Wood pulp
  • Malt
  • Swedes, mangolds, fodder roots, hay, pellets
  • Barley
  • Petroleum coke
  • Nickel
  • Potatoes
  • Lumber
  • Horse meat
  • Sodium chlorate
  • Polymers of ethylene

Canada's main exports to Japan:

  • Coal
  • Canola
  • Lumber
  • Copper
  • Pork
  • Wheat
  • Wood pulp
  • Aluminum

Information about Japan

CIA World Factbook
Detailed information about Japan's economy, political system and history.
Energy Information Administration
Energy profile for Japan
Country profile of Japan
Detailed Library of Congress profile of Japan.

Export statistics

Alberta's International Trade Review
An analysis of Alberta's international exports of goods and services. Published by Alberta International and Intergovernmental Relations.
Trade Data Online
Customized reports on Canada's trade with over 200 countries.

Alberta-Japan relations

Alberta has a multifaceted relationship with Japan, which includes strong business ties, cultural exchanges and educational initiatives.

World Relations
A summary of Alberta's relationship with Japan.

Sector opportunities for Alberta businesses interested in exporting their products

  • Agrifood: Japan relies on imports for about 60% of its caloric needs and will remain a major agrifood importer for the foreseeable future. Japan will continue to provide opportunities for Alberta's highly competitive meat and oil seed sectors as well as niche opportunities for high-quality processed foods.

  • Education and training: Alberta is the preferred destination for many international students to obtain high quality education credentials and to learn about Canadian culture. Japan is an important market for Alberta's educational services, especially English as a second language (ESL) programs, and is the fourth largest international source of students. Alberta institutions are actively marketing in Japan. Japanese students enhance the diversity of knowledge in Alberta classrooms and, upon completion of their studies; their understanding of Alberta may lead to new international business or cooperation in trade and research.

  • Energy: Japan imports about 80% of its total energy demand and is quite dependent on the Middle East. Japan is interested in diversifying its supply of energy and is interested, from a trade and investment point of view, in the oil sands. Japan is also interested in new clean energy technologies.

  • Health and bio-industries: Japan is highly supportive of the development and application of nanotechnology. Nanomedicine is expected to reach sales of $9.5 billion by 2015. A low birth rate and a low level of immigration contribute to a steadily aging population. Households headed by persons 65 years old or older will account for 37.1% of all Japanese households in 2025, and products and services geared towards this market segment will be in high demand.

  • Information communication technologies (ICT): Japanese companies are looking for new technologies to enhance what is already the second most technologically advanced country in the world. The information and communication technologies (ICT) market value of Japan is upwards of 116 trillion yen (CAN $1.16 trillion).

Services for exporters

Canada Business
Online tool for new and experienced exporters.
The Canadian Commercial Corporation
Crown corporation that promotes and facilitates international trade on behalf of Canadian industry.
Electronic Business Intelligence Service
Online source for export market intelligence, international company profiles, business opportunities, reports and web links
Export Alert!
A resource for exporters to learn about changes in foreign export regulations.
Export resources
Resources for both new and experienced exporters.
International Trade Canada
Sector reports as well as a list of staff contacts that can assist exporters.
Virtual Trade Commissioner
A database of Canadian exporters that enable companies to provide their information to prospective foreign buyers, importers, distributors and partners.

Services in Japan