Recognised as the fourth most affluent country in the world Japan imported more than $640 billion worth of products last year. This number reflected a significant downward trajectory however with importing falling by 15% in recent years. A significant factor in this drop is the decrease in value of mineral fuels, with imports from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates reducing by 40% during that period.

Annual imports in Japan averaged 2750 JPY billion between 1960 and 2015 (1 USD = appx 110 JPY) with figures as high as 8000JPY billion in recent years. Major imports include mineral fuels (30%), machinery (over 20%) and petroleum (15%) while major import partners include China ($160 billion US), the United States ($65 billion) and Australia ($45 billion).

Chart Showing GDP Growth Compared to rest of world

Trade finance is a revolving facility which alternative financiers offer – it enables SMEs to buy stock and can help ease the pressure from cash flow issues.

Typically, an alternative financier will fund most of the cost of the product, including charges (e.g. VAT charges).

Trade finance offers upsides over more traditional bank finance such as bridging mortgages or loans. Trade finance provides quick funding without affecting existing relationships with banks.

How Trade finance is a revolving facility which alternative financiers offer – it enables SMEs to buy stock and can help ease the pressure from cash flow issues.

Typically, an alternative financier will fund most of the cost of the product, including charges (e.g. VAT charges).

Trade finance offers upsides over more traditional bank finance such as bridging mortgages or loans. Trade finance provides quick funding without affecting existing relationships with banks.

How does it work?
If you’re a firm importing or exporting inventory internationally, then a trade finance facility would allow you to fund this through offering a LC (letter of credit) or some form of cash advance.

I’m looking to export to Japan, how can Trade Finance Global help, and how does it work?
If you’re looking to export stock supplies to other markets, you may need export finance, which is an agreement between you (the exporter), and the importer from overseas. A non-bank lender will advance you the cost of producing the products that you’re exporting (as a debt instrument), either once you have shipped the goods, or before you have produced them. Once your foreign importer has received the inventory and pays you for the import, you will repay the advance loan from the lender over an agreed period of time.does it work?
If you’re a firm importing or exporting inventory internationally, then a trade finance facility would allow you to fund this through offering a LC (letter of credit) or some form of cash advance.

I’m looking to export to Japan, how can Trade Finance Global help, and how does it work?
If you’re looking to export stock supplies to other markets, you may need export finance, which is an agreement between you (the exporter), and the importer from overseas. A non-bank lender will advance you the cost of producing the products that you’re exporting (as a debt instrument), either once you have shipped the goods, or before you have produced them. Once your foreign importer has received the inventory and pays you for the import, you will repay the advance loan from the lender over an agreed period of time.

Japan Quick Links

• Importing from Japan
• Trade Finance – Japan
• Invoice Finance – Japan
• Japan ECA – NEXI
• Japan ECA – JBIC