Japan’s imports of apparel and accessories rose by *.* per cent year on year to *,***,*** million yen (~$**.** billion) during the first half of fiscal ****–** (April–September), according to provisional data released by the Ministry of Finance, indicating cautious consumer demand amid global economic uncertainties.
Apparel and accessories accounted for *.* per cent of the country’s total imports, which amounted to **,***,*** million yen (~$***.** billion) during the period. Imports of textile yarn and fabrics increased at a faster pace, climbing **.* per cent to ***,*** million yen (~$*.** billion), representing *.* per cent of Japan’s total imports.
On the export front, shipments of textile yarn and fabrics grew by *.* per cent year on year to ***,*** million yen (~$*.** billion). Exports of textile machinery recorded stronger growth, rising **.* per cent to ***,*** million yen (~$*.** billion). Textile machinery contributed *.* per cent to Japan’s total exports, which stood at **,***,*** million yen (~$***.** billion) in April–September ****.
