Japan Reserves in Months of Imports
Total reserves in months of imports FI.RES.TOTL.MO
Japan's reserves in months of imports was 10.7 in 2025, ranked 9th globally. This represents a 18.4% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
Japan's reserves in months of imports stood at 10.7 in 2025, a decline of +2.4 from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 10.7 by 2025. Japan ranked 9th globally.
Japan’s foreign‑exchange reserves, measured as months of import coverage, have risen sharply from an all‑time trough of 5.41 months in 1996 to a peak of 18.52 months in 2020, before easing to 10.65 months in 2025, ranking ninth globally. The post‑COVID‑19 rebound in 2020 reflected a concerted policy effort to bolster buffers amid supply‑chain disruptions, but subsequent drawdowns have brought the ratio closer to the levels of peers such as Saudi Arabia (10.69 months) and Lebanon (10.55 months). Over the 30‑year record, the upward trajectory suggests a resilient capacity to absorb external shocks, yet the recent moderation signals a shift toward a more balanced reserve posture. Continued fiscal prudence, stable export performance, and a stable yen will be crucial to sustain or improve the current coverage, while any sharp external shock or prolonged trade deficit could reverse the modest upward trend.
Data & projection
| Year | Reserves in Months of Imports | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 8.0 | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 9.3 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 10.7 | - | - |
| 2025 | 10.7 | −2.4 | #9 |
| 2024 | 13.0 | −0.5 | #5 |
| 2023 | 13.5 | +1.2 | #8 |
| 2022 | 12.3 | −3.7 | #12 |
| 2021 | 16.1 | −2.4 | #6 |
| 2020 | 18.5 | +3.1 | #7 |
| 2019 | 15.4 | +0.7 | #5 |
| 2018 | 14.7 | −1.6 | #6 |
| 2017 | 16.3 | −0.7 | #7 |
| 2016 | 17.0 | +0.2 | #6 |
| 2015 | 16.8 | +2.6 | #7 |
| 2014 | 14.2 | −0.8 | #7 |
| 2013 | 15.0 | +0.7 | #7 |
| 2012 | 14.2 | −1.0 | #7 |
| 2011 | 15.2 | −0.6 | #7 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Japan matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2004. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw reserves in months of imports improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Japan's reserves in months of imports was 10.7 in 2025. Ranked 9th globally. This represents a 18.4% decrease from the previous year.
Japan's reserves in months of imports peaked at 18.5 in 2020.
The lowest reserves in months of imports in Japan was 5.4 in 1996.
Japan ranks 9th globally in reserves in months of imports as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is FI.RES.TOTL.MO. Data sourced from World Bank.
Japan's reserves in months of imports is projected to reach 10.7 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The reserves in months of imports of Japan in 2025 was 10.7. This ranks 9th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_japan_reserves-months-imports,
title = {Japan Reserves in Months of Imports},
url = {https://historysaid.com/japan/reserves-months-imports/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}