Core Insights - Japan's export competitiveness in manufacturing is declining, particularly in the automotive and home appliance sectors, as emerging countries enhance their technological capabilities [2][4][5] - The "Revealed Comparative Advantage Index" indicates that Japan's automotive sector has a score of 2.7 and automotive parts at 1.7 for 2024, both exceeding 1, indicating strong export competitiveness [5] - The index for home appliances, including refrigerators and washing machines, is notably low at 0.2, remaining below 1 since 1994, highlighting a significant loss of competitiveness [5] Summary by Category - **Automotive Sector** - The automotive index for 2024 is 2.7, indicating strong competitiveness, but it has declined compared to 10 years ago [5] - The automotive parts index stands at 1.7, also reflecting a competitive edge [5] - **Home Appliances** - The index for home appliances is 0.2, indicating a persistent lack of competitiveness, with a continuous decline since 1994 [5] - The report highlights that China and ASEAN countries are gaining advantages in the electrical appliance sector [5] - **Other Sectors** - The index for imaging recording devices is 1.8 for 2024, maintaining a comparative advantage but has decreased by 1.1 percentage points over the last decade [5] - The highest comparative advantage is seen in semiconductor manufacturing equipment, with an index of 7.7, which has increased by 0.4 percentage points since 2014 [5]