Key facts
- South Korea and Taiwan exceeded Japan in total exports during the first half of 2026.
- This export performance marks a first-time occurrence for both South Korea and Taiwan relative to Japan.
- The rise in exports is linked to the growing demand for semiconductors, spurred by advancements in artificial intelligence.
For the first time, South Korea and Taiwan have each surpassed Japan in total export value during the first half of 2026. This milestone, revealed by a Nikkei analysis, reflects a significant shift in regional trade dynamics, largely propelled by the burgeoning demand for semiconductors driven by the artificial intelligence boom. Companies like South Korea's SK Hynix are noted as key producers of the advanced semiconductors fueling this demand.