Japan's six principal container ports handled 1.18 million TEU in May, up just 0.1 per cent year-on-year as stronger imports offset weaker exports, reports Amsterdam's BreakBulk News.

The transport ministry data showed imports rising 3 per cent to 615,498 TEU, while exports fell 2.9 per cent to 562,219 TEU. The divergence highlights operational challenges for carriers as equipment imbalances grow across Northeast Asian trade lanes.

Tokyo remained the largest gateway, processing 367,332 TEU, up 0.1 per cent. Exports fell 2.9 per cent to 160,049 TEU, while imports rose 2.5 per cent to 207,283 TEU.

Yokohama recorded the strongest growth, with throughput up 3 per cent to 235,939 TEU. Exports declined 3.9 per cent to 119,510 TEU, but imports surged 11.3 per cent to 116,429 TEU.

Kobe handled 174,728 TEU, up 0.7 per cent. Exports dropped 2.8 per cent to 89,454 TEU, while imports rose 4.6 per cent to 85,274 TEU.

Nagoya throughput edged down 0.8 per cent to 219,152 TEU. Exports slipped 0.1 per cent to 111,697 TEU and imports fell 1.5 per cent to 107,455 TEU.

Osaka processed 173,631 TEU, down 2.6 per cent. Exports fell 5.2 per cent to 77,754 TEU, while imports declined 0.5 per cent to 95,877 TEU.

Kawasaki posted the steepest decline, with throughput down 7.1 per cent to 6,935 TEU. Exports fell 5.9 per cent to 3,755 TEU and imports dropped 8.5 per cent to 3,180 TEU.

Analysts said the widening gap between inbound and outbound volumes raises questions about Japan's export competitiveness and complicates container repositioning as empty boxes accumulate at terminals.