Overview 

Unit: USD millions 

[market size = (local production + imports) – exports] 

Data Sources: 

Local Production:  Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry 

Exports:  Ministry of Finance 

Imports:  Ministry of Finance 

Imports from the US:  Ministry of Finance 

2022 estimated data are based on September 2022 projections provided by the Society of Japanese Aerospace Companies (“SJAC”). 

Despite a dramatic decrease in Japanese air travel demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Japan continues to offer a lucrative long-term market for imported aircraft, aircraft parts, engines, and other related technologies.  Although aircraft engine production has returned to pre-COVID levels, Japan’s production of other aircraft parts remains low.  

Market Considerations 

The Japanese aircraft industry remained flat after the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) halted Boeing 787 deliveries.  As of September 2022, neither Boeing nor the Japanese aircraft industry has commented on when Boeing’s 787 production will resume.  

U.S. firms have an overwhelming presence in Japan’s aircraft and aircraft parts segment due to long-standing relationships with domestic manufacturers and trading firms – some spanning over 70 years.  Several trends are driving opportunities for U.S. firms.  For example, Japanese industry players are increasingly active in international projects, developing transport and patrol aircraft for defense initiatives and manufacturing small jets and jet engines for civil aviation.  Geopolitical considerations, including ongoing regional disputes with China, Russia, and North Korea, are also driving Japan’s demand for enhanced defense capabilities.   

Japanese customers of aircrafts and aircraft parts first consider track record and quality rather than cost competitiveness.  In many cases, U.S. firms compete against other U.S. firms for new Japan contracts.  

Civil Aircraft 

Japan’s commercial aerospace business is dominated by big companies that supply the major aircraft manufacturers – specifically Boeing.  For example, Japanese manufacturers such as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (“MHI”), Kawasaki Heavy Industries (“KHI”), and Subaru (formerly Fuji Heavy Industries) supply about 35% of content for the Boeing 787 aircraft including aircraft wings, center wings, and front fuselage.  These companies also supply about 21% of content for the Boeing 777 such as center section, center fuselage, and aft fuselage. 

According to Japan’s Ministry of Finance, in 2021 imports of aircraft products including parts, sub-parts, and components amounted to $11.2 billion, with U.S. aerospace products accounting for 53.8% of the total.    

Japan does not levy import duties on aircraft or aircraft parts.  Under the 1980 WTO Agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft with 32 signatories, including Japan and the United States, about 250 items are duty-free provided they are used in civil aircraft or ground flying trainers.  Such items include those used in the manufacture, repair, maintenance, rebuilding, modification, or conversion of such aircraft. 

Leading Sub-Sectors 

Aircraft Engines 

Aircraft engines are a leading sub-sector.  Concerning the development of civil aircraft engines, Japan participates in international joint development projects for particular engines such as the CF-34, Trent 1000, GEnx, PW1100G-JM.  In addition, Japan develops both defense and civil engines such as F7 and XF9-1.  

Helicopters 

Japan develops and manufactures fuselages, engines, and all other helicopter components.  Japan has also developed and produced a composite-material, bearing-less version of the rotor system that makes full use of cutting-edge technologies.  In addition, the Japanese aerospace industry is proactively participating in multinational development projects such as the following: 

• Participation in International Civil Helicopter Projects 

• MD902 Helicopters Transmission Production  

• AW139 (AgustaWestland) High-Speed Gearbox 

Events  

Defense and Security Equipment International (“DSEI”) 

Dates:  March 15-17, 2023 

Venue:  Makuhari Messe Center, Chiba 

Website:  https://www.dsei-japan.com/ 

Description:  The only large-scale, fully integrated defense event.  Cancelled for several years because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the event will resume in 2023. 

Japan International Aerospace Exhibition (“JA”) 

Dates:  Fall 2024 

Venue:  Tokyo Big Sight 

Website: https://www.japanaerospace.jp/  

Description: Japan’s only air show.  The most recent JA was held in 2018 in Tokyo with 520 exhibitors and 20,000 visitors.  The U.S. Commercial Service Japan provided on-site counseling to U.S. exhibitors throughout the exhibition.   

Resources  

• Japan Civil Aviation Bureau under Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism  

• Society of Japanese Aerospace Companies (“SJAC”)  

• Japan Business Aviation Association (“JBAA”)  

U.S. Commercial Service Japan Contact 

For more information about aerospace market developments in Japan and related opportunities for U.S. firms, please contact the U.S. Commercial Service at Office.Tokyo@trade.gov or Ms. Sayoko Koto at sayoko.koto@trade.gov.