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Data from FMP. Forecasts by Sigmanomics Forecast Engine.
JapanJapan Imports YoY climbed to 28.0% in August 2026
FMPMonthlyReleased September 2026
Japan Imports YoY climbed to 28.0% in August 2026, released September 2026, up 0.1% from July's 27.9% reading. The print exceeded the 26.3% consensus by 1.7%. Imports YoY has now risen for 4 consecutive months. Imports YoY is now the highest in 38 months.
Latest Release
28
Actual
26.3
Consensus
27.9
Previous
Median Absolute Error
±1.76 percentage points
across last 12 releases
Last Call
Sep 2026
Predicted: 26.95
Actual: 28
Error: -1.05
Sigmacast Σ-direction model: consensus + ½ × mean(surprise, trailing 90d).
CORRELATED SYMBOLS— markets that historically move with this indicator
| Symbol | Direction | Correlation | Asset Class | Co-movement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/JPY | ▲ Direct | +0.77 | FOREX | Moves with | → View |
| GBP/JPY | ▲ Direct | +0.64 | FOREX | Moves with | → View |
| AUD/JPY | ▲ Direct | +0.52 | FOREX | Moves with | → View |
| Hang Seng | ▲ Direct | +0.34 | INDEX | Moves with | → View |
Correlation based on 12-month rolling window. Click any symbol to view its Sigmanomics forecast page.
THE RELEASE
Imports YoY (Japan) was reported at 28% in September 2026. This beat the market consensus of 26.3% by 1.7%. The reading rose from the previous value of 27.9%. Trailing 12-month context per ETL data through September 2026. Over the past 12 months, the indicator has averaged 8.58%, ranging from -5.2% to 28% across 10 releases.
WHY IT MATTERS
The indicator has been trending upward over the last three releases. The trailing three releases averaged 22.77%, up from the prior three at 5.8%. Volatility over the past year (σ 11.05%) is higher than the prior year (σ 5.99%). In September readings over the past 3 years, Imports YoY has averaged 1.83%.
THE MODEL'S TAKE
Historically, this indicator is positively correlated with EUR/JPY (Bullish EUR). A secondary relationship exists with GBP/JPY, positively correlated (Bullish GBP). Over the last 12 releases, the Sigmacast model's median absolute error is 1.76%.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
Same-country events in the next 14 days include Inflation Rate YoY (Sep 17) and Core Inflation Rate YoY (Sep 17).
Auto-generated from current model state · Refreshes on each release · Last update September 2026.
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Imports YoY - JP
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About Imports YoY — Japan
DEFINITION
Imports YoY is a financial indicator that measures the year-over-year change in the total value of goods and services imported into a country. It provides valuable insights into a country's economic health and its trade relationships with other nations. A positive Imports YoY indicates an increase in imports, which can stimulate economic growth and consumer demand. On the other hand, a negative Imports YoY may suggest a decline in economic activity and potential trade imbalances. This indicator is closely monitored by investors, policymakers, and businesses to make informed decisions and assess the overall health of a country's economy.
WHY THIS INDICATOR MATTERS
Trade-balance and tariff data inform exchange-rate fundamentals and feed directly into GDP via the net-exports channel. The release is more useful as part of a longer-run signal than as a single-print catalyst. Released monthly.
WHAT CHANGED THIS MONTH
Latest reading (Aug 2026): actual 28 %, consensus 26.3 %. Prior reading (Jul 2026): 27.8 %. Before that (May 2026): 12.5 %.
WHAT'S NEXT
Sigmacast's 1-month forecast points to a higher reading versus the latest print, with the 3-month outlook reinforcing that direction. Both horizons are aligned bullish for this indicator, suggesting a consistent trend signal. Trend-driven dynamics are the primary tailwind in the current projection. This indicator correlates most strongly with EUR/JPY (Bullish EUR, r=0.77) — a useful reference for forex-focused traders.
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Economic Calendar - JP Events
| Tuesday, September 15, 2026 | Actual | Previous | Consensus | Sigmanomics Rolling-Surprise Forecast | Impact | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04:30 | JP | Tertiary Industry Index MoM | 0.4 | -0.2 | 0.3 | 0.35 | Low |
| 23:50 | JP | Exports YoY | 19.3 | 23.2 | 18.2 | 18.75 | Medium |
| 23:50 | JP | Balance of Trade | -1105.6 | -638.3 | -1052.6 | -1079.10 | High |
| 23:50 | JP | Imports YoY | 28 | 27.9 | 26.3 | 27.15 | Low |
| 23:50 | JP | Machinery Orders MoM | -3.7 | 9.7 | -2.8 | -3.25 | Medium |
| 23:50 | JP | Machinery Orders YoY | 11.2 | 16.9 | 15.3 | 13.25 | Medium |
| 23:50 | JP | Adjusted Trade Balance | -0.84 | -0.68 | -1 | -0.92 | Medium |