6.5% Year-on-Year Rise Driven by Import Surge from China and Vietnam
The Port of Tokyo has posted one of its strongest performances in years, handling 2.42 million TEUs in the first half of 2025—a 6.5% increase year-on-year, according to preliminary figures released by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s Bureau of Port and Harbor.
For a port that thrives at the intersection of Japan’s industrial and consumer economies, that number speaks volumes. It’s not just about cranes and containers—it’s about Tokyo’s resilience in a shifting global trade landscape.
Exports Hold Steady, Imports Surge
Between January and June 2025, oceangoing containers accounted for 2.12 million TEUs, with exports reaching 940,000 TEUs (up 2.6%) despite dips in shipments to the US and Taiwan. Imports, however, did the heavy lifting—rising 5.4% to 1.18 million TEUs, thanks largely to increasing flows from China and Vietnam.
Domestic container volumes also told a story of momentum, jumping 18.3% to 300,000 TEUs. Altogether, total throughput—foreign and domestic—hit 2.42 million TEUs, representing 106.5% of last year’s performance.
The numbers may seem dry on paper, but think of it this way: Tokyo’s docks are moving roughly 13,000 containers every single day. That’s nearly one every seven seconds.
A Quietly Strong Performer in Japan’s Port Network
Tokyo continues to lead Japan’s container ports, with annual volumes expected to surpass 4.7 million TEUs this year—putting it ahead of Yokohama, Nagoya, Kobe, and Osaka. Officials attribute the growth to steady consumer demand in the capital region and the port’s balanced trade mix.
While some Asian ports have struggled with uneven export orders and volatile booking patterns—particularly on US-bound routes—Tokyo has maintained a relatively smooth rhythm. Its role as both an import gateway and a consumer hub seems to be insulating it from the sharper swings seen in more export-dependent ports.
Domestic Trade and Commodities: A Mixed Picture
Not all domestic trade categories moved in the same direction. Outbound shipments of heavy oil and mixed cargo increased modestly, but inbound shipments of gravel, sand, and cement softened. Analysts note that infrastructure demand in Japan’s capital region remains steady, though construction material imports have cooled slightly.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has emphasized that the latest throughput figures remain preliminary and could be revised, but the general trend appears solid—strong imports, stable exports, and no major operational hiccups.
Smooth Operations, No Disruptions
Amid global reports of congestion, strikes, and storm-related slowdowns, Tokyo’s port operations have stayed remarkably stable. As of October 2025, there have been no significant disruptions reported. For logistics managers and shipping lines, that reliability might just be the most valuable figure of all.
Source
AloJapan.com