Japan is the second largest exporter. The main exports are automobiles, electronic devices and computers. The most important trading partner is the United States, representing over a quarter of all Japanese exports. The major imports areraw materials like oil, food products and wood. The United States are the main suppliers of such materials, but China, Indonesia, South Korea, and Australia are alsomajor suppliers.

The most striking feature of Japanese firms is its capacity for technological innovation, offer many opportunities for foreign firms to associate with them. The associations with Japanese companies enable foreign companies to take advantage of this innovation, something vital in the global economy.