Greek cotton is the most significant imported good in Japan, while Greek carpets imported into the Asian country increased by a whopping 786% in 2012, compared with 2011, according to the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) and the Greek embassy in Tokyo on March 5.

According to Japan's new honorary consul in Thessaloniki, Charis Alexopoulos, the exports value of Greek cotton in Japan in 2012 reached €14.4 million, an increase of 117% compared to the previous year. In addition, total Greek exports to Japan, excluding oil products, increased by 43.8% while Japanese imports to Greece decreased by 59.7%. Among other Greek goods imported by Japan, Greek olive oil imports increased by 36.9%.