Canada-Japan Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023

Complete trade statistics: $26.47B total volume โ€ขCanada deficit: $1.40B

Canada โ†’ Japan

$12.54B

Exports (2023)

Japan โ†’ Canada

$13.93B

Imports (2023)

Trade Balance

$1.40B

Deficit for Canada

Total Trade

$26.47B

Combined Volume

Trade Flow Visualization

Direct trade relationship between Canada and Japan. Green line shows exports from Canada, red line shows imports.

Detailed Product Trade Analysis

Comprehensive breakdown of trade flows by product category, revealing the specialized nature of the Canada-Japan commercial relationship and competitive positioning in global markets.

Canada โ†’ Japan Exports

$12.54B
2023 Total

Export Market Intelligence

Product Diversity:
Highly Diversified
Market Share:
23.0% top product
1Coal: bituminous, whether or not pulverised, but not agglomerated
$2.88B
23.0% of exports
2Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, propane
$938.77M
7.5% of exports
3Copper ores and concentrates
$856.62M
6.8% of exports
4Iron ores and concentrates: non-agglomerated
$667.09M
5.3% of exports
5Oil seeds: low erucic acid rape or colza seeds, whether or not broken
$659.75M
5.3% of exports
6Cereals: wheat and meslin, other than durum wheat, other than seed
$612.56M
4.9% of exports
7Meat: of swine, n.e.c. in item no. 0203.1, fresh or chilled
$525.47M
4.2% of exports
8Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale
$450.49M
3.6% of exports
9Medicaments: containing hormones (but not insulin), adrenal cortex hormones or antibiotics, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale
$283.46M
2.3% of exports
10Soya beans: other than seed, whether or not broken
$273.48M
2.2% of exports

๐ŸŽฏ Strategic Export Focus

Canada's export portfolio to Japan demonstrates strong diversification across multiple sectors, with coal: bituminous, whether or not pulverised, but not agglomerated representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.

Japan โ†’ Canada Imports

$13.93B
2023 Total

Import Dependency Profile

Supply Diversity:
Well Diversified
Critical Imports:
18.7% concentration
1Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000cc
$2.60B
18.7% of imports
2Vehicles: with both spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine and electric motor for propulsion, capable of being charged by plugging to external source of electric power
$838.54M
6.0% of imports
3Mechanical shovels, excavators and shovel loaders: with a 360 degree revolving super structure
$572.03M
4.1% of imports
4Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 3000cc
$485.64M
3.5% of imports
5Vehicles: with both spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine and electric motor for propulsion, incapable of being charged by plugging to external source of electric power
$478.42M
3.4% of imports
6Vehicles: with only electric motor for propulsion
$425.78M
3.1% of imports
7Vehicle parts and accessories: n.e.c. in heading no. 8708
$365.97M
2.6% of imports
8Metals: gold, non-monetary, powder
$364.41M
2.6% of imports
9Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1000 but not over 1500cc
$320.85M
2.3% of imports
10Printing machinery: parts and accessories, n.e.c. in item no. 8443.91
$198.86M
1.4% of imports

๐Ÿ“ฆ Import Strategy Analysis

Canada's import pattern from Japan reveals strategic sourcingin vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000cc, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.

Competitive Trade Position Analysis

๐Ÿ†

Market Leadership

Canada demonstrates competitive strength in exportingcoal: bituminous, whether or not pulverised, but not agglomerated to Japan, leveraging comparative advantages.

Export Leader in 20+ Categories
๐Ÿ”„

Trade Complementarity

The bilateral relationship showsstrongcomplementarity, with each country specializing in different sectors.

Highly Balanced
๐Ÿ“ˆ

Growth Potential

The $26.47B trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.

Major Partnership

Executive Summary: Canada-Japan Trade Relationship

Key Trade Highlights 2023

  • Total Trade Volume: $26.47 billionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
  • Trade Balance: Canada maintains a deficit of $1.40 billion
  • Export Focus: Canada's primary exports include coal: bituminous, whether or not pulverised, but not agglomerated, petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, propane, copper ores and concentrates
  • Import Dependencies: Key imports from Japan include vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000cc, vehicles: with both spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine and electric motor for propulsion, capable of being charged by plugging to external source of electric power, mechanical shovels, excavators and shovel loaders: with a 360 degree revolving super structure

Strategic Trade Indicators

Trade IntensityHigh
Export DiversificationDiversified
Trade Balance HealthBalanced

๐Ÿ“ˆ Market Position: This bilateral trade relationship represents a significant global trade partnerships, with complementary economic strengths driving sustained commercial exchange.

Historical Trade Analysis & Economic Context

Trade Evolution Timeline

2019-2023: Recent Trends

Current trade volume of $26.47B represents the culmination of evolving bilateral commercial relationships, influenced by global supply chain shifts and changing economic priorities.

2015-2019: Growth Period

Sustained expansion in bilateral trade driven by complementary economic structures, with Canada leveraging its comparative advantages in coal: bituminous, whether or not pulverised, but not agglomerated.

2010-2015: Foundation Building

Establishment of modern trade frameworks and reduction of barriers, facilitating increased commercial exchange and investment flows between the two economies.

Pre-2010: Early Development

Initial stages of bilateral trade relationship development, with focus on traditional export-import patterns and gradual market integration.

Key Economic Drivers

1

Comparative Advantage

Canada's specialization in coal: bituminous, whether or not pulverised, but not agglomeratedcomplements Japan's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.

2

Supply Chain Integration

Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000cc.

3

Market Access & Trade Policy

Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $26.47B bilateral relationship.

Trade Pattern Insights

Trade ComplementarityAsymmetric
Seasonal VariationsModerate
Product ConcentrationLow
Market DependencyModerate
๐Ÿ”ฎ

Trade Relationship Outlook

The $26.47B bilateral trade volume positions this relationship for continued growth, supported by technological advancement, evolving consumer preferences, and strengthening economic ties. Key opportunities lie in expanding cooperation in emerging sectors while managing potential supply chain vulnerabilities.

Economic Impact & Strategic Outlook

Economic Impact Assessment

๐Ÿ’ฐ

Trade Volume Impact

The $26.47 billion bilateral trade volume represents a significant economic factorfor both economies.

Economic Significance: High
๐Ÿญ

Industrial Integration

Trade flows in coal: bituminous, whether or not pulverised, but not agglomerated and vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000cc demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.

Supply Chain Integration: Diversified
โš–๏ธ

Trade Balance Effects

Canada's trade deficit of $1.40 billion impacts its overall economic position in this bilateral relationship.

Balance Impact: Well Balanced

Strategic Future Outlook

๐Ÿš€Growth Opportunities

Emerging Sectors
Technology transfer and innovation cooperation in petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, propane present expansion opportunities.
Market Diversification
Beyond current focus on vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000cc, new product categories offer potential for trade expansion.

โš ๏ธRisk Factors

Supply Chain Vulnerabilities
Moderate concentration in key sectors requires monitoring
Market Competition
Global competition in coal: bituminous, whether or not pulverised, but not agglomerated may affect future market positioning.

๐ŸŽฏStrategic Recommendations

  • Strengthen cooperation in high-value sectors beyond current trade patterns
  • Develop alternative supply chains to reduce dependency risks
  • Explore joint ventures in emerging technology sectors
  • Enhance trade facilitation and reduce transaction costs

Market Position & Competitive Summary

The bilateral trade relationship between Canada and Japan represents a total trade volume of $26.47 billion in 2023. This partnership demonstrates an unfavorable trade balance for Canada, with imports exceeding exportsby $1.40 billion.

Export Strengths

Canada's exports to Japan total $12.54 billion, with competitive advantages in coal: bituminous, whether or not pulverised, but not agglomerated, representing $2.88B or23.0% of bilateral exports.

Import Dependencies

Imports from Japan amount to $13.93 billion, highlighting economic interdependence in vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000cc, with Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000cc comprising18.7% of total imports.

The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade deficit indicates Canada's strategic sourcing from Japan. This partnership is characterized by complementary trade flows, with each country specializing in different product categories based on their respective economic strengths, industrial capabilities, and position in global value chains.

Download Bilateral Trade Data

Access detailed trade data between Canada and Japan in multiple formats.

Data Source: CEPII BACI (Base pour l'Analyse du Commerce International) โ€ข Last Updated: January 2025 โ€ข Coverage: 1995-2023