Imports of textile yarn and fabric also fell *.* per cent to **,*** million yen (~$***.** million), representing * per cent of total imports. On the export side, textile yarn and fabric shipments slipped *.* per cent to **,*** million yen (~$***.** million), while textile machinery exports dropped * per cent to **,*** million yen (~$***.** million), contributing *.* per cent to Japan’s total exports of *,***,*** million yen. The slowdown in textile machinery exports partly reflects the impact of recently imposed US tariffs on all trading partners, which has heightened trade uncertainty and disrupted global demand patterns.

For the first half of ****, clothing and accessories imports rose *.* per cent to *,***,*** million yen (~$**.** billion), supported by steady consumer appetite earlier in the year. Imports of textile yarn and fabric edged up *.* per cent to ***,*** million yen. Exports of textile yarn and fabric gained *.* per cent to ***,*** million yen, while textile machinery exports surged **.* per cent to ***,*** million yen, underscoring Japan’s competitive manufacturing base and strong overseas demand for high-quality machinery in early ****.