Move over, Toyota: Japan's chip industry exports match carmakers'

U.S.-China tensions fuel demand for semiconductor equipment and components

Japanese exports of semiconductor products soared in part from demand for digitalization during the pandemic. © Reuters

KOSUKE TAKAMI, Nikkei staff writer

January 23, 2022 01:00 JST

TOKYO -- Japan's semiconductor industry exports are now on par with those of the country's passenger vehicles following a raft of orders from China and the U.S.

Aggregate exports in chipmaking devices, integrated circuit products and similar electronic components amounted to 4.47 trillion yen ($39 billion) during the second half of 2021, according to preliminary trade data released by the government. By comparison, exports of passenger vehicles came to 4.53 trillion yen.