Hi-tech exports are products with high R&D intensity, such as in aerospace, computers, pharmaceuticals, scientific instruments and electrical machinery.

The graph shows that the peak of hi-tech exports was in early 2000, with $127.38bn worth of exports. From 2002 to 2006, hi-tech exports increased steadily from $94.73bn to $126.62bn in 2006. Since 2008, exports have been decreasing. This is due to the global financial crisis, which has put a dent in Japan’s main, and crucial, export sector.