Japan’s imports climbed 12.5% year-on-year to JPY 9,890.2 billion in May 2026, accelerating from a 9.8% increase in April but slightly below market expectations of a 12.8% rise. This marked the fourth consecutive month of import growth and the fastest pace since January 2025, underpinned by resilient domestic demand and the continued impact of the government’s economic stimulus package introduced in late 2025.