Toyota Motor Corp. reported on May 26 that its car exports from Japan to the Middle East in April totaled only 2,418 units, a plunge of 91.7% year-on-year. The automaker attributed the sharp decline to prolonged tensions and ongoing conflicts in the region.
Amid persistent geopolitical hotspots impacting global trade, Japanese automakers are grappling with significant challenges in maintaining their supply chains. For Toyota, the Middle East had been a key market, but this sudden plunge underscores the severity of the disruption.
In a separate defense-related development, Japan also announced on the same day that it is pushing forward talks with New Zealand over a potential export deal for the Mogami-class frigate, and is organizing trilateral security dialogues with Australia. However, this military export news is not directly related to Toyota's car export figures.
