News
Exports of oceangoing containers from nine major ports in Japan will increase 3.8% year on year to a total of 5.383 million TEUs in fiscal 2012 （April 2012-March 2013）, according to economic and cargo throughput forecasts made recently by Nittsu Research Institute and Consulting, Inc. （NRIC）
The Tokyo-based think tank said they will grow remarkably in the first half （April-September 2012）, rebounding from the severe decline they suffered in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake.
However, the remarkably growth will lose momentum from the second quarter （June-September 2012） due to a slowdown in the expansion of the global economy and the appreciation of the yen, which began in the previous fiscal year.
Meanwhile, NRIC projected that imports will rise 4.3% from a year earlier to 7.733 million TEUs in fiscal 2012.
In respect to consumer goods, a main import item, foodstuffs will improve steadily thanks to the strengthening of the yen, despite sluggishness in individual spending.
Machinery and equipment will also be favorable due to robustness in capital investment projects.
NRIC expected the total volume of exports and imports will amount to 13.118 million TEUs in fiscal 2012, going up 4.1% year on year.
