Japan led bulldozer exports (front dozers), angle dozers, graders, scrapers, mechanical shovels, excavators, loaders, wheel loaders, compactors and self-propelled road rollers (road rollers) in 2021.
According to data from Japan’s Ministry of Finance, Japanese exports of this product set totaled $11.462 billion in 2021, a year-on-year rise of 43.9 percent.
Front dozers of Japan
Japanese companies that stand out in bulldozer exports include Komatsu and JUKI Corporation.
Globally, other companies producing front-end dozers include Sandvik, CRRC, CNH Industrial America LLC, Liebherr and CAT (Caterpillar Corporate).
International sales of the same product group from Japan accounted for 21.9% of the corresponding 2021 global exports and were mainly directed to the United States, the Netherlands, Australia, Russia and the United Kingdom.
Bulldozer exports
For its overall production, Komatsu actively promotes research and development activities for new technologies and new products in the fields of construction, mining and utility equipment, industrial machinery and others.
With respect to Komatsu’s research and development structure, the Office of the Chief Technology Officer (CTO), the research and development departments of the Company’s Development Division, which focus on construction, mining and utility equipment, and the technology departments of the Company’s subsidiaries and affiliates participate in its research and development activities.
The total amount of research and development expenses for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022 was ¥77,478 million.
Foreign trade
Japan is a leading trading nation. In 2021, it ranked fifth in merchandise exports, behind China, the United States, Germany, and the Netherlands. It was fourth in merchandise imports, behind the United States, China, and Germany, among IMF member countries.
In 2021, Japan faced a trade deficit of 1 trillion 669 billion yen. This deficit was due to increased imports of crude oil and non-ferrous metals. However, the deficit was partially offset by higher exports of steel and auto parts.
The effects of the global Covid-19 pandemic and possible international trade disruptions from the Russia-Ukraine conflict on exports, imports, and the overall trade balance remain uncertain.