AI Data Insight
Japan's newly released total exports for Q1 (February 2026) grew by 4.2% year-on-year. Although moderating from the previous month's high of 16.8%, it still beat the market expectation of 1.6% and marked the sixth consecutive month of growth. Driven by the AI boom, exports of semiconductors and electronic components remained strong, effectively mitigating the pressure from the fading pull-in effect of the Chinese Lunar New Year and the decline in the U.S. auto market.