{"content_id":"4qvree9ifh","slug":"korea-japan-taiwan-exports-2026-first-half-comparison","locale":"en","schema_type":"Article","category":"report","category_name":"Report","title":"South Korea Exports Surpass Japan in H1 2026: Why","summary":"In international comparison reports for the first half of 2026, South Korea's exports exceeded Japan's by $11.19 billion. Integrated circuits account for most of the gap, but there is little basis for interpreting this as South Korea being the world's top exporter or Japanese industry collapsing.","sponsorship_disclosure":null,"affiliate_disclosure":null,"commerce_disclosure":null,"author":{"name":"Injoys Editorial Team","url":"https://injoys.com/ko/about"},"key_points":["The export figures in international comparison reports for the first half of 2026 were $49.63 billion for South Korea, $41.66 billion for Taiwan, and $38.44 billion for Japan.","Using figures from the same reports, excluding integrated circuits leaves Japan's exports about $1.6 billion higher than South Korea's.","Semiconductor exports reported by the South Korean government must be distinguished from integrated circuit exports in international comparison reports.","Japan's competitiveness in semiconductor manufacturing equipment and its support for Rapidus are inconsistent with the claim that it has abandoned semiconductors.","Dollar-denominated export values alone cannot determine domestic value added or which economy is stronger overall."],"content_markdown":"In international comparison reports for the first half of 2026, South Korea's exports surpassed Japan's. The gap in integrated circuit exports was larger than the overall gap. However, this does not mean that South Korea ranked first in global exports or that Japan's economy collapsed.\n\nThe comparison figures are based on first-half totals reported on August 7, 2026.\n\n## Export Comparison for South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan\n\nBased on the same report, South Korea's exports were $111.9 billion higher than Japan's. Taiwan also recorded higher exports than Japan. South Korea's first-place ranking here is among the three economies being compared.\n\n| Comparison | South Korea | Taiwan | Japan |\n| --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |\n| Merchandise exports in the first half of 2026 | $496.3 billion | $416.6 billion | $384.4 billion |\n| Ranking among the three economies | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |\n| Difference in exports compared with Japan | $111.9 billion higher | $32.2 billion higher | Comparison baseline |\n\nET News cited an analysis by the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (日本経済新聞). The analysis used national trade statistics and international trade data. According to the report, this was the first time South Korea and Taiwan surpassed Japan in first-half exports. [ET News report dated August 7, 2026](https://www.etnews.com/20260807000307)\n\nThe number of digits in these amounts must be corrected. Writing South Korea's exports as $49.63 billion gives one-tenth of the figure in the actual report. The figures of $38.44 billion for Japan and $41.66 billion for Taiwan contain the same error.\n\n### Why Do the South Korean Government Announcement and the International Comparison Report Differ?\n\nThe South Korean government announcement and the international comparison report contain different figures. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's July 1 announcement puts first-half exports at $496.7 billion. This was an increase of 48.4% year over year.\n\n| Source | South Korea's exports in the first half of 2026 | Use in this article |\n| --- | ---: | --- |\n| Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announcement on July 1 | $496.7 billion | Confirming South Korea's export trends |\n| International comparison report on August 7 | $496.3 billion | Comparing South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan and calculating the gaps |\n\nThe difference between the two figures is $400 million. The documents reviewed do not provide enough information to determine the reason for the difference. The original statistics must be checked for the timing of the totals or whether revisions were made.\n\nThe government announcement is available from the KDI Economic Information and Education Center. (Confirmed figures: South Korea's exports in the first half of 2026 were $496.7 billion, up 48.4% year over year; semiconductor exports were $192.4 billion; exports of non-semiconductor products increased 16% · Source: eiec.kdi.re.kr · Confirmed on 2026-07-01) The document is titled \"Export and Import Trends for June and the First Half of 2026.\" Figures from different totals are not mixed in calculations between countries. [KDI material containing the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announcement](https://eiec.kdi.re.kr/policy/materialView.do?num=283602)\n\n## Calculation Example: What Happens When Integrated Circuits Are Excluded?\n\nIf integrated circuits are excluded from the same international comparison figures, Japan comes out ahead. This is because the gap in integrated circuits is larger than the overall gap. The calculation below is a simple breakdown of the reported figures for the first half of 2026.\n\n| Category | South Korea | Japan | Difference after subtracting Japan from South Korea |\n| --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |\n| Total merchandise exports | $496.3 billion | $384.4 billion | $111.9 billion |\n| Integrated circuit exports | $149 billion | $21.2 billion | $127.8 billion |\n| Exports excluding integrated circuits | $347.3 billion | $363.2 billion | -$15.9 billion |\n\nThe calculations are as follows.\n\n- South Korean exports excluding integrated circuits: $496.3 billion - $149 billion = $347.3 billion\n- Japanese exports excluding integrated circuits: $384.4 billion - $21.2 billion = $363.2 billion\n- Overall gap: integrated circuit gap of $12.78 billion - gap of approximately $1.6 billion in other products = $11.19 billion\n\nThis calculation supports the interpretation that integrated circuits were central to the reversal in export rankings. However, it does not calculate the net contribution of AI or HBM. This is because not all integrated circuits are HBM.\n\nThe comparison excluding integrated circuits also does not determine which country won or lost across all industries. Excluding a particular flagship product removes each country's strengths from the comparison. This calculation is intended to show how concentrated the export structure is.\n\n## Impact of AI Semiconductors on Exports\n\nGrowing demand for AI semiconductors was a major factor behind this export gap. A report shared by the Korea International Trade Association highlighted South Korea's memory production base. In Taiwan, semiconductor production centered on TSMC drew attention.\n\nIn the first half of 2026, South Korea's integrated circuit exports were $14.9 billion. Taiwan recorded $133.2 billion during the same period. Japan's figure for the same category was $2.12 billion. [Export comparison report posted by the Korea International Trade Association](https://www.kita.net/board/totalTradeNews/totalTradeNewsDetail.do?no=103978\u0026siteId=1)\n\nHBM is high-bandwidth memory made by vertically connecting multiple DRAM chips. Its core function is to transfer large amounts of data quickly. SK hynix describes it as high-performance memory for AI. [SK hynix explanation of HBM technology](https://news.skhynix.com/en/tsmc-technology-symposium-2026/)\n\nHowever, the scope of the export statistics must be distinguished.\n\n| Term | Meaning | Point to note when interpreting |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Integrated circuits | Semiconductor products that integrate multiple circuit elements | This category does not count HBM alone |\n| HBM | High-bandwidth memory made by connecting multiple DRAM chips | Must be distinguished from total integrated circuit exports |\n| Semiconductor manufacturing equipment | Equipment used for semiconductor production and related processes | A separate category from semiconductor product exports |\n| Semiconductor exports in the domestic announcement | A product category used in domestic export trends | Must be compared with the product scope used in the international comparison |\n\nThe Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announcement put first-half semiconductor exports at $192.4 billion. The same announcement said that non-semiconductor exports also increased 16% year over year. It is therefore incorrect to interpret this as meaning that exports from all other industries were stagnant.\n\nThe figures of $192.4 billion and $149 billion for integrated circuits come from separate totals. The entire difference should not be treated as the export value of a particular product. An accurate comparison requires checking product codes and the scope of items included.\n\n## Has Japan Given Up on Semiconductors?\n\nThere is insufficient evidence to conclude that Japan has given up on the semiconductor industry. Japan led the economies in the comparison in exports of semiconductor manufacturing equipment. Government support for advanced semiconductor manufacturing technology is also continuing.\n\n| Category in the comparison report for the first half of 2026 | South Korea | Taiwan | Japan |\n| --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |\n| Semiconductor manufacturing equipment exports | $5.2 billion | $3.5 billion | $15 billion |\n| Integrated circuit exports | $149 billion | $133.2 billion | $21.2 billion |\n\nJapan's equipment exports of $15 billion are smaller than its integrated circuit exports of $2.12 billion. The calculation that equipment exports were seven times integrated circuit exports does not hold. This error occurs if the integrated circuit figure is incorrectly written as $2.12 billion.\n\nJapan's strength in equipment may be linked to expanding production in South Korea and Taiwan. This is because semiconductor production requires manufacturing equipment. However, equipment orders and chip sales do not increase at the same pace or at the same time.\n\nJapan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry announced support for Rapidus on April 11, 2026. The supported areas include the development of advanced logic semiconductor manufacturing technology. They also include the development of packaging design and manufacturing technology for the 2nm generation. [Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry announcement on increasing Rapidus's research and development budget](https://www.meti.go.jp/policy/mono_info_service/joho/post5g/20260411_2.html)\n\nIt is therefore incomplete to say that Japan remained limited to equipment and materials. Conversely, an investment announcement does not mean that competitiveness in mass production has been secured. Actual results must be confirmed through production performance and customer acquisition.\n\n## Can the Export Gap Be Explained by the Weak Yen Alone?\n\nExchange rates have an impact, but export values alone cannot isolate its size. If the yen-denominated amount remains the same, a weaker yen reduces the amount when converted into dollars. In actual exports, contract prices and sales volumes also change.\n\nThe basic relationship for dollar conversion is as follows.\n\n- Dollar-denominated export value = yen-denominated export value ÷ yen exchange rate per dollar\n- For the same yen amount, a higher yen exchange rate per dollar results in a smaller dollar-denominated amount.\n- Estimating the actual exchange-rate effect requires checking exchange rates and export prices for each period together.\n\nThe fact that the South Korean won and Taiwan dollar were also weak does not by itself rule out exchange-rate effects. This is because the degree of depreciation may differ between currencies. Export products are also priced differently.\n\nThe Bank of Japan explains effective exchange rates, which also account for trading partners. The real effective exchange rate also reflects differences in prices between countries. This is why price competitiveness is difficult to assess using only the exchange rate against the dollar. [Bank of Japan explanation of effective exchange rates](https://www.boj.or.jp/en/statistics/outline/exp/exrate.htm)\n\nThe definition of the indicator must also be considered when checking export volumes. The Bank of Japan publishes real export data with price fluctuations removed. Specifying a period of stagnation without separately verifying the time series can lead to errors. [Bank of Japan data on real exports and real imports](https://www.boj.or.jp/en/research/research_data/reri/index.htm)\n\n## How Do Export Value and Domestic Value Added Differ?\n\nExport value is not the same as value newly created domestically. Exported products may include raw materials and components imported from overseas. The OECD's trade in value added statistics distinguish the value added by each country. [OECD explanation of trade in value added](https://www.oecd.org/en/topics/sub-issues/trade-in-value-added.html)\n\nThis distinction is useful when examining the semiconductor supply chain. Materials and components from multiple countries may go into a single product. The value of goods sold across borders should therefore not be treated as domestic income.\n\n| Indicator | What it shows | What is difficult to determine from it alone |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Merchandise export value | Value of goods sold across borders | Value added retained domestically |\n| Real export and volume indicators | Export trends with price effects removed | Scale of corporate profits |\n| Domestic value added in exports | Domestic value creation embodied in exports | Overall national living standards |\n| Corporate consolidated revenue | Revenue of a corporate group, including overseas operations | Export value generated in the home country |\n\nA company's nationality must also be distinguished from where its exports occur. Sales from an overseas factory in the local market are counted differently from exports from the home country. This is why export rankings alone make it difficult to assess the global scale of a company's operations.\n\nFrom this perspective, it is difficult to reduce South Korea and Japan to simple winners and losers. Growth in South Korean chip exports may be linked to revenue for Japanese suppliers. Industrial competition and supply chain cooperation can exist at the same time.\n\n## Common Mistakes: What Can Export Rankings Tell Us?\n\nA reversal in export rankings must be interpreted only within the specific period and indicator involved. A first-half merchandise export ranking is not a ranking of entire economies. Past policies or events should not immediately be identified as the cause.\n\n| Common interpretation | What can be confirmed |\n| --- | --- |\n| South Korea ranks first in global exports | South Korea led in the comparison among the three economies |\n| All integrated circuit exports are HBM | HBM has a different scope from integrated circuits as a whole |\n| South Korea's performance disappears when integrated circuits are excluded | This reveals its degree of export dependence on a particular product |\n| Japanese manufacturing has collapsed | This export comparison alone cannot support that conclusion |\n| Equipment and materials industries have low value added | Export value alone does not reveal the value-added ratio |\n| The semiconductor boom is certain to continue until a particular year | The source and assumptions of the forecast must be checked separately |\n\nThe 2019 South Korea-Japan export control dispute forms part of the policy background to the supply chain. Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry discloses the measures taken at the time and subsequent policy dialogue. However, whether that dispute caused the current gap requires separate verification. [Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry timeline of export controls toward South Korea](https://www.meti.go.jp/policy/external_economy/export_control_korea/index-en.html)\n\nAbenomics and the collapse of the bubble economy also do not directly explain these figures. Long-term industrial change and the performance of a single half-year involve different analysis periods. Evidence connecting historical background to current export performance is needed before it can be cited as a cause.\n\n## Criteria for Determining Whether the Export Lead Will Continue\n\nTo assess whether the lead will continue, semiconductor demand and the export structure must be considered together. Growth in nominal export value alone cannot confirm an increase in sales volume. For future comparisons, check the following in order.\n\n1. Align the periods and currency units used in each country's statistics.\n2. Check whether the data are preliminary or revised.\n3. Distinguish the product scope of integrated circuits from that of semiconductors as a whole.\n4. Check export prices and volumes separately.\n5. Compare growth in non-semiconductor products as well.\n6. Distinguish companies' actual production results from their forecasts.\n\nClaims that the boom will continue through 2027 or 2028 are forecasts. When citing a forecast, the issuing organization and date must be disclosed. Its assumptions about supply and demand must also be presented.","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eIn international comparison reports for the first half of 2026, South Korea's exports surpassed Japan's. The gap in integrated circuit exports was larger than the overall gap. However, this does not mean that South Korea ranked first in global exports or that Japan's economy collapsed.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe comparison figures are based on first-half totals reported on August 7, 2026.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#export-comparison-for-south-korea-japan-and-taiwan\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"export-comparison-for-south-korea-japan-and-taiwan\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eExport Comparison for South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBased on the same report, South Korea's exports were $111.9 billion higher than Japan's. Taiwan also recorded higher exports than Japan. South Korea's first-place ranking here is among the three economies being compared.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"overflow-x-auto\"\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eComparison\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSouth Korea\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTaiwan\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eJapan\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Comparison\"\u003eMerchandise exports in the first half of 2026\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"South Korea\"\u003e$496.3 billion\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Taiwan\"\u003e$416.6 billion\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Japan\"\u003e$384.4 billion\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Comparison\"\u003eRanking among the three economies\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"South Korea\"\u003e1st\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Taiwan\"\u003e2nd\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Japan\"\u003e3rd\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Comparison\"\u003eDifference in exports compared with Japan\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"South Korea\"\u003e$111.9 billion higher\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Taiwan\"\u003e$32.2 billion higher\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Japan\"\u003eComparison baseline\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eET News cited an analysis by the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (日本経済新聞). The analysis used national trade statistics and international trade data. According to the report, this was the first time South Korea and Taiwan surpassed Japan in first-half exports. \u003ca href=\"https://www.etnews.com/20260807000307\"\u003eET News report dated August 7, 2026\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe number of digits in these amounts must be corrected. Writing South Korea's exports as $49.63 billion gives one-tenth of the figure in the actual report. The figures of $38.44 billion for Japan and $41.66 billion for Taiwan contain the same error.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#why-do-the-south-korean-government-announcement-and-the-international-comparison-report-differ\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"why-do-the-south-korean-government-announcement-and-the-international-comparison-report-differ\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eWhy Do the South Korean Government Announcement and the International Comparison Report Differ?\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe South Korean government announcement and the international comparison report contain different figures. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's July 1 announcement puts first-half exports at $496.7 billion. This was an increase of 48.4% year over year.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"overflow-x-auto\"\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSource\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSouth Korea's exports in the first half of 2026\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eUse in this article\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Source\"\u003eMinistry of Trade, Industry and Energy announcement on July 1\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"South Korea's exports in the first half of 2026\"\u003e$496.7 billion\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Use in this article\"\u003eConfirming South Korea's export trends\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Source\"\u003eInternational comparison report on August 7\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"South Korea's exports in the first half of 2026\"\u003e$496.3 billion\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Use in this article\"\u003eComparing South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan and calculating the gaps\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe difference between the two figures is $400 million. The documents reviewed do not provide enough information to determine the reason for the difference. The original statistics must be checked for the timing of the totals or whether revisions were made.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe government announcement is available from the KDI Economic Information and Education Center. (Confirmed figures: South Korea's exports in the first half of 2026 were $496.7 billion, up 48.4% year over year; semiconductor exports were $192.4 billion; exports of non-semiconductor products increased 16% · Source: eiec.kdi.re.kr · Confirmed on 2026-07-01) The document is titled \"Export and Import Trends for June and the First Half of 2026.\" Figures from different totals are not mixed in calculations between countries. \u003ca href=\"https://eiec.kdi.re.kr/policy/materialView.do?num=283602\"\u003eKDI material containing the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announcement\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#calculation-example-what-happens-when-integrated-circuits-are-excluded\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"calculation-example-what-happens-when-integrated-circuits-are-excluded\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eCalculation Example: What Happens When Integrated Circuits Are Excluded?\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf integrated circuits are excluded from the same international comparison figures, Japan comes out ahead. This is because the gap in integrated circuits is larger than the overall gap. The calculation below is a simple breakdown of the reported figures for the first half of 2026.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"overflow-x-auto\"\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eCategory\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSouth Korea\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eJapan\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDifference after subtracting Japan from South Korea\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Category\"\u003eTotal merchandise exports\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"South Korea\"\u003e$496.3 billion\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Japan\"\u003e$384.4 billion\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Difference after subtracting Japan from South Korea\"\u003e$111.9 billion\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Category\"\u003eIntegrated circuit exports\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"South Korea\"\u003e$149 billion\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Japan\"\u003e$21.2 billion\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Difference after subtracting Japan from South Korea\"\u003e$127.8 billion\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Category\"\u003eExports excluding integrated circuits\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"South Korea\"\u003e$347.3 billion\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Japan\"\u003e$363.2 billion\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Difference after subtracting Japan from South Korea\"\u003e-$15.9 billion\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe calculations are as follows.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSouth Korean exports excluding integrated circuits: $496.3 billion - $149 billion = $347.3 billion\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJapanese exports excluding integrated circuits: $384.4 billion - $21.2 billion = $363.2 billion\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOverall gap: integrated circuit gap of $12.78 billion - gap of approximately $1.6 billion in other products = $11.19 billion\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis calculation supports the interpretation that integrated circuits were central to the reversal in export rankings. However, it does not calculate the net contribution of AI or HBM. This is because not all integrated circuits are HBM.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe comparison excluding integrated circuits also does not determine which country won or lost across all industries. Excluding a particular flagship product removes each country's strengths from the comparison. This calculation is intended to show how concentrated the export structure is.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#impact-of-ai-semiconductors-on-exports\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"impact-of-ai-semiconductors-on-exports\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eImpact of AI Semiconductors on Exports\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrowing demand for AI semiconductors was a major factor behind this export gap. A report shared by the Korea International Trade Association highlighted South Korea's memory production base. In Taiwan, semiconductor production centered on TSMC drew attention.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the first half of 2026, South Korea's integrated circuit exports were $14.9 billion. Taiwan recorded $133.2 billion during the same period. Japan's figure for the same category was $2.12 billion. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kita.net/board/totalTradeNews/totalTradeNewsDetail.do?no=103978\u0026amp;siteId=1\"\u003eExport comparison report posted by the Korea International Trade Association\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHBM is high-bandwidth memory made by vertically connecting multiple DRAM chips. Its core function is to transfer large amounts of data quickly. SK hynix describes it as high-performance memory for AI. \u003ca href=\"https://news.skhynix.com/en/tsmc-technology-symposium-2026/\"\u003eSK hynix explanation of HBM technology\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, the scope of the export statistics must be distinguished.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"overflow-x-auto\"\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTerm\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eMeaning\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePoint to note when interpreting\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Term\"\u003eIntegrated circuits\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Meaning\"\u003eSemiconductor products that integrate multiple circuit elements\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Point to note when interpreting\"\u003eThis category does not count HBM alone\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Term\"\u003eHBM\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Meaning\"\u003eHigh-bandwidth memory made by connecting multiple DRAM chips\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Point to note when interpreting\"\u003eMust be distinguished from total integrated circuit exports\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Term\"\u003eSemiconductor manufacturing equipment\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Meaning\"\u003eEquipment used for semiconductor production and related processes\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Point to note when interpreting\"\u003eA separate category from semiconductor product exports\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Term\"\u003eSemiconductor exports in the domestic announcement\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Meaning\"\u003eA product category used in domestic export trends\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Point to note when interpreting\"\u003eMust be compared with the product scope used in the international comparison\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announcement put first-half semiconductor exports at $192.4 billion. The same announcement said that non-semiconductor exports also increased 16% year over year. It is therefore incorrect to interpret this as meaning that exports from all other industries were stagnant.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe figures of $192.4 billion and $149 billion for integrated circuits come from separate totals. The entire difference should not be treated as the export value of a particular product. An accurate comparison requires checking product codes and the scope of items included.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#has-japan-given-up-on-semiconductors\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"has-japan-given-up-on-semiconductors\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eHas Japan Given Up on Semiconductors?\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is insufficient evidence to conclude that Japan has given up on the semiconductor industry. Japan led the economies in the comparison in exports of semiconductor manufacturing equipment. Government support for advanced semiconductor manufacturing technology is also continuing.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"overflow-x-auto\"\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eCategory in the comparison report for the first half of 2026\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSouth Korea\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTaiwan\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eJapan\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Category in the comparison report for the first half of 2026\"\u003eSemiconductor manufacturing equipment exports\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"South Korea\"\u003e$5.2 billion\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Taiwan\"\u003e$3.5 billion\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Japan\"\u003e$15 billion\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Category in the comparison report for the first half of 2026\"\u003eIntegrated circuit exports\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"South Korea\"\u003e$149 billion\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Taiwan\"\u003e$133.2 billion\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Japan\"\u003e$21.2 billion\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJapan's equipment exports of $15 billion are smaller than its integrated circuit exports of $2.12 billion. The calculation that equipment exports were seven times integrated circuit exports does not hold. This error occurs if the integrated circuit figure is incorrectly written as $2.12 billion.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJapan's strength in equipment may be linked to expanding production in South Korea and Taiwan. This is because semiconductor production requires manufacturing equipment. However, equipment orders and chip sales do not increase at the same pace or at the same time.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJapan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry announced support for Rapidus on April 11, 2026. The supported areas include the development of advanced logic semiconductor manufacturing technology. They also include the development of packaging design and manufacturing technology for the 2nm generation. \u003ca href=\"https://www.meti.go.jp/policy/mono_info_service/joho/post5g/20260411_2.html\"\u003eMinistry of Economy, Trade and Industry announcement on increasing Rapidus's research and development budget\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is therefore incomplete to say that Japan remained limited to equipment and materials. Conversely, an investment announcement does not mean that competitiveness in mass production has been secured. Actual results must be confirmed through production performance and customer acquisition.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#can-the-export-gap-be-explained-by-the-weak-yen-alone\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"can-the-export-gap-be-explained-by-the-weak-yen-alone\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eCan the Export Gap Be Explained by the Weak Yen Alone?\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExchange rates have an impact, but export values alone cannot isolate its size. If the yen-denominated amount remains the same, a weaker yen reduces the amount when converted into dollars. In actual exports, contract prices and sales volumes also change.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe basic relationship for dollar conversion is as follows.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDollar-denominated export value = yen-denominated export value ÷ yen exchange rate per dollar\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFor the same yen amount, a higher yen exchange rate per dollar results in a smaller dollar-denominated amount.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEstimating the actual exchange-rate effect requires checking exchange rates and export prices for each period together.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fact that the South Korean won and Taiwan dollar were also weak does not by itself rule out exchange-rate effects. This is because the degree of depreciation may differ between currencies. Export products are also priced differently.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Bank of Japan explains effective exchange rates, which also account for trading partners. The real effective exchange rate also reflects differences in prices between countries. This is why price competitiveness is difficult to assess using only the exchange rate against the dollar. \u003ca href=\"https://www.boj.or.jp/en/statistics/outline/exp/exrate.htm\"\u003eBank of Japan explanation of effective exchange rates\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe definition of the indicator must also be considered when checking export volumes. The Bank of Japan publishes real export data with price fluctuations removed. Specifying a period of stagnation without separately verifying the time series can lead to errors. \u003ca href=\"https://www.boj.or.jp/en/research/research_data/reri/index.htm\"\u003eBank of Japan data on real exports and real imports\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#how-do-export-value-and-domestic-value-added-differ\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"how-do-export-value-and-domestic-value-added-differ\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eHow Do Export Value and Domestic Value Added Differ?\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExport value is not the same as value newly created domestically. Exported products may include raw materials and components imported from overseas. The OECD's trade in value added statistics distinguish the value added by each country. \u003ca href=\"https://www.oecd.org/en/topics/sub-issues/trade-in-value-added.html\"\u003eOECD explanation of trade in value added\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis distinction is useful when examining the semiconductor supply chain. Materials and components from multiple countries may go into a single product. The value of goods sold across borders should therefore not be treated as domestic income.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"overflow-x-auto\"\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eIndicator\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat it shows\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat is difficult to determine from it alone\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Indicator\"\u003eMerchandise export value\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"What it shows\"\u003eValue of goods sold across borders\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"What is difficult to determine from it alone\"\u003eValue added retained domestically\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Indicator\"\u003eReal export and volume indicators\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"What it shows\"\u003eExport trends with price effects removed\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"What is difficult to determine from it alone\"\u003eScale of corporate profits\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Indicator\"\u003eDomestic value added in exports\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"What it shows\"\u003eDomestic value creation embodied in exports\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"What is difficult to determine from it alone\"\u003eOverall national living standards\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Indicator\"\u003eCorporate consolidated revenue\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"What it shows\"\u003eRevenue of a corporate group, including overseas operations\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"What is difficult to determine from it alone\"\u003eExport value generated in the home country\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA company's nationality must also be distinguished from where its exports occur. Sales from an overseas factory in the local market are counted differently from exports from the home country. This is why export rankings alone make it difficult to assess the global scale of a company's operations.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom this perspective, it is difficult to reduce South Korea and Japan to simple winners and losers. Growth in South Korean chip exports may be linked to revenue for Japanese suppliers. Industrial competition and supply chain cooperation can exist at the same time.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#common-mistakes-what-can-export-rankings-tell-us\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"common-mistakes-what-can-export-rankings-tell-us\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eCommon Mistakes: What Can Export Rankings Tell Us?\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA reversal in export rankings must be interpreted only within the specific period and indicator involved. A first-half merchandise export ranking is not a ranking of entire economies. Past policies or events should not immediately be identified as the cause.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"overflow-x-auto\"\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eCommon interpretation\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat can be confirmed\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Common interpretation\"\u003eSouth Korea ranks first in global exports\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"What can be confirmed\"\u003eSouth Korea led in the comparison among the three economies\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Common interpretation\"\u003eAll integrated circuit exports are HBM\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"What can be confirmed\"\u003eHBM has a different scope from integrated circuits as a whole\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Common interpretation\"\u003eSouth Korea's performance disappears when integrated circuits are excluded\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"What can be confirmed\"\u003eThis reveals its degree of export dependence on a particular product\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Common interpretation\"\u003eJapanese manufacturing has collapsed\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"What can be confirmed\"\u003eThis export comparison alone cannot support that conclusion\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Common interpretation\"\u003eEquipment and materials industries have low value added\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"What can be confirmed\"\u003eExport value alone does not reveal the value-added ratio\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Common interpretation\"\u003eThe semiconductor boom is certain to continue until a particular year\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"What can be confirmed\"\u003eThe source and assumptions of the forecast must be checked separately\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2019 South Korea-Japan export control dispute forms part of the policy background to the supply chain. Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry discloses the measures taken at the time and subsequent policy dialogue. However, whether that dispute caused the current gap requires separate verification. \u003ca href=\"https://www.meti.go.jp/policy/external_economy/export_control_korea/index-en.html\"\u003eMinistry of Economy, Trade and Industry timeline of export controls toward South Korea\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbenomics and the collapse of the bubble economy also do not directly explain these figures. Long-term industrial change and the performance of a single half-year involve different analysis periods. Evidence connecting historical background to current export performance is needed before it can be cited as a cause.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#criteria-for-determining-whether-the-export-lead-will-continue\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"criteria-for-determining-whether-the-export-lead-will-continue\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eCriteria for Determining Whether the Export Lead Will Continue\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo assess whether the lead will continue, semiconductor demand and the export structure must be considered together. Growth in nominal export value alone cannot confirm an increase in sales volume. For future comparisons, check the following in order.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlign the periods and currency units used in each country's statistics.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCheck whether the data are preliminary or revised.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDistinguish the product scope of integrated circuits from that of semiconductors as a whole.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCheck export prices and volumes separately.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompare growth in non-semiconductor products as well.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDistinguish companies' actual production results from their forecasts.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClaims that the boom will continue through 2027 or 2028 are forecasts. When citing a forecast, the issuing organization and date must be disclosed. Its assumptions about supply and demand must also be presented.\u003c/p\u003e\n","tags":["Global economy","Semiconductors","AI Data Center","HBM","Exchange rate","Technology strategy"],"faqs":[{"question":"Did South Korea's exports surpass Japan's in the first half of 2026?","answer":"According to an international comparison report dated August 7, 2026, South Korea was ahead. South Korea's exports totaled $496.3 billion, while Japan's totaled $384.4 billion. The difference was $111.9 billion."},{"question":"Does that mean South Korea was the world's largest exporter?","answer":"It does not mean that South Korea ranked first in the world. South Korea had the highest figure in a comparison of South Korea, Taiwan, and Japan. Global rankings require all countries to be compared using the same criteria."},{"question":"Did Taiwan also export more than Japan?","answer":"In the same report, Taiwan's exports in the first half of 2026 totaled $416.6 billion. This was $32.2 billion more than Japan's."},{"question":"Were South Korea's exports in the first half of the year $49.63 billion?","answer":"The figure in the international comparison report is $496.3 billion. The figure of $49.63 billion is incorrect and is one-tenth of the actual amount."},{"question":"Was Japan ahead when integrated circuits are excluded?","answer":"Yes, based on calculations using the reported figures for the first half of 2026. Exports excluding integrated circuits totaled $34.73 billion for South Korea and $36.32 billion for Japan. Japan's were $15.9 billion higher."},{"question":"Can integrated circuit exports be considered HBM exports?","answer":"No. Integrated circuits cover a broader range than HBM. Separate product statistics are needed to determine HBM's contribution."},{"question":"Why do the export figures in the South Korean government's announcement and the international comparison report differ?","answer":"The government announced $496.7 billion, while the international comparison report stated $496.3 billion. The cause of the difference cannot be determined from the documents reviewed alone. The timing of the data compilation and whether revisions were made must be checked against the original statistics."},{"question":"Were Japan's semiconductor equipment exports larger than its integrated circuit exports?","answer":"Not according to the comparison report for the first half of 2026. Japan's equipment exports totaled $15 billion. Integrated circuit exports totaled $21.2 billion, more than equipment exports."},{"question":"Has Japan given up on producing advanced semiconductors?","answer":"It is difficult to say that it has given up. In April 2026, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry announced support for Rapidus's advanced semiconductor research and development. However, the announcement of support should be distinguished from actual mass-production results."},{"question":"Could the weak yen reduce the dollar value of Japan's exports?","answer":"If the amount in yen remains the same, the converted dollar value may decrease. The actual effect varies depending on export prices and the currency used in contracts. A separate analysis is needed to determine how much of this gap is attributable to exchange rates."},{"question":"Did all South Korean exports other than semiconductors perform poorly?","answer":"According to an announcement by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, exports of products other than semiconductors also increased. The growth rate in the first half of 2026 was 16% compared with the same period of the previous year. However, an increase in the total does not mean that every individual product increased."},{"question":"Does a higher export value necessarily mean more income remains in the country?","answer":"This cannot be determined from export value alone. Exported goods may include the value of imported raw materials and components. Domestic value creation must be assessed separately using value-added indicators."},{"question":"Can it be stated with certainty that the semiconductor boom will continue through 2028?","answer":"It cannot be confirmed. Expectations of a boom through a specific year are forecasts. The issuing organization and date, as well as the demand and supply assumptions, should be checked together."}],"sources":[{"url":"https://www.etnews.com/20260807000307","title":"ETNews, Korea, led by Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, surpasses Japan for the first time at '$111.9 billion,' August 7, 2026","type":"data_point"},{"url":"https://www.kita.net/board/totalTradeNews/totalTradeNewsDetail.do?no=103978\u0026siteId=1","title":"Korea International Trade Association Trade News, Korean and Taiwanese exports surpass Japan for the first time ever in the first half of the year, August 19, 2026","type":"data_point"},{"url":"https://eiec.kdi.re.kr/policy/materialView.do?num=283602","title":"Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources, Export and Import Trends for June and the First Half of 2026, published by the KDI Economic Information and Education Center","type":"data_point"},{"url":"https://news.skhynix.com/en/tsmc-technology-symposium-2026/","title":"SK hynix, Explanation of memory and logic integration and HBM technology at the 2026 TSMC Symposium","type":"source"},{"url":"https://www.meti.go.jp/policy/mono_info_service/joho/post5g/20260411_2.html","title":"Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Approval of an increase in the budget for Rapidus advanced semiconductor research and development, April 11, 2026","type":"source"},{"url":"https://www.boj.or.jp/en/statistics/outline/exp/exrate.htm","title":"Bank of Japan, Explanation of the Effective Exchange Rate (Nominal, Real)","type":"source"},{"url":"https://www.boj.or.jp/en/research/research_data/reri/index.htm","title":"Bank of Japan, Developments in Real Exports and Real Imports","type":"source"},{"url":"https://www.oecd.org/en/topics/sub-issues/trade-in-value-added.html","title":"OECD, Trade in value-added","type":"source"},{"url":"https://www.meti.go.jp/policy/external_economy/export_control_korea/index-en.html","title":"Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Update of METI's licensing policies and procedures in relation to the Republic of Korea","type":"source"}],"images":[{"id":1379,"url":"https://injoys.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MTk4MTQsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--f4c460ae38839f2af3c3568927f981f9cb708794/ai-3d5e0c14.webp","is_representative":true,"generation_method":"ai_photo","license":"ai_generated","mime_type":"image/webp","width":1536,"height":1024,"translations":{"ko":{"alt":"항공 화물 터미널에서 전자부품과 태블릿의 수출 자료를 확인하는 여성","caption":"항공기에 화물이 실리는 동안 한 여성이 전자부품 수출 자료를 살펴보고 있다.","description":null},"en":{"alt":"Woman reviewing export data on a tablet beside electronics at an air cargo terminal","caption":"A woman checks electronics export data as cargo is loaded onto an aircraft.","description":null},"ja":{"alt":"航空貨物ターミナルで電子部品とタブレットの輸出資料を確認する女性","caption":"航空機への貨物搭載が進む中、女性が電子部品の輸出データを確認している。","description":null},"es":{"alt":"Mujer revisando datos de exportación en una tableta junto a componentes electrónicos en una terminal aérea","caption":"Una mujer consulta datos de exportación de componentes electrónicos mientras cargan un avión.","description":null},"id":{"alt":"Perempuan memeriksa data ekspor di tablet dekat komponen elektronik di terminal kargo udara","caption":"Seorang perempuan meninjau data ekspor elektronik saat kargo dimuat ke pesawat.","description":null},"pt":{"alt":"Mulher analisa dados de exportação em um tablet junto a componentes eletrônicos em terminal aéreo","caption":"Uma mulher verifica dados de exportação de eletrônicos enquanto cargas são embarcadas no avião.","description":null},"zh-hant":{"alt":"女子在航空貨運站查看平板上的出口數據，旁邊擺放電子零組件","caption":"飛機裝載貨物時，一名女子正在查看電子零組件的出口數據。","description":null},"de":{"alt":"Frau prüft Exportdaten auf einem Tablet neben Elektronikbauteilen in einem Luftfrachtterminal","caption":"Eine Frau prüft Exportdaten für Elektronik, während Fracht in ein Flugzeug verladen wird.","description":null}}},{"id":1380,"url":"https://injoys.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MTk4MjAsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--55cf9fa611a0a1fd72ea728d7126eb6c78950fdb/ai-bf67fefc.webp","is_representative":false,"generation_method":"ai_semi","license":"ai_generated","mime_type":"image/webp","width":1536,"height":1024,"translations":{"ko":{"alt":"항공 화물 터미널에서 태블릿의 수출 데이터를 확인하는 여성 물류 직원","caption":"화물 상자와 항공기를 배경으로 물류 직원이 태블릿의 수출 지표를 살펴보고 있다.","description":null},"en":{"alt":"Female logistics worker reviewing export data on a tablet at an air cargo terminal","caption":"A logistics worker examines export metrics amid cargo crates, an aircraft, and ground equipment.","description":null},"ja":{"alt":"航空貨物ターミナルでタブレットの輸出データを確認する女性物流スタッフ","caption":"貨物箱や航空機を背景に、物流スタッフがタブレットで輸出指標を確認している。","description":null},"es":{"alt":"Trabajadora logística revisando datos de exportación en una tableta en una terminal aérea","caption":"Una trabajadora analiza indicadores de exportación entre cajas de carga, un avión y equipos logísticos.","description":null},"id":{"alt":"Pekerja logistik memeriksa data ekspor di tablet pada terminal kargo udara","caption":"Seorang pekerja meninjau indikator ekspor di tengah peti kargo, pesawat, dan peralatan logistik.","description":null},"pt":{"alt":"Profissional de logística analisando dados de exportação em um tablet num terminal aéreo","caption":"Uma profissional examina indicadores de exportação entre caixas de carga, uma aeronave e equipamentos logísticos.","description":null},"zh-hant":{"alt":"女性物流人員在航空貨運站查看平板上的出口數據","caption":"物流人員在貨箱、飛機與地勤設備旁檢視平板上的出口指標。","description":null},"de":{"alt":"Logistikmitarbeiterin prüft Exportdaten auf einem Tablet in einem Luftfrachtterminal","caption":"Eine Mitarbeiterin analysiert Exportkennzahlen zwischen Frachtkisten, Flugzeug und Logistikgeräten.","description":null}}}],"published_at":"2026-09-19T00:23:52+09:00","updated_at":"2026-09-19T00:23:52+09:00","license":"cc_by","translation_status":"reviewed","available_locales":["ko","en","ja","es"],"data_locales":["ko","en","ja","es","id","pt","zh-hant","de"],"url":"https://injoys.com/en/articles/korea-japan-taiwan-exports-2026-first-half-comparison"}