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Results of Quarterly Survey of Overseas Subsidiaries Compiled (July-September in 2020)

Sales picking up quicker than that after the collapse of Lehman Brothers, showing a decrease by 6.7% and a smaller decrease

Japanese

December 25, 2020

Others

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has been conducting a Survey of Overseas Subsidiaries on a quarterly basis, aiming to ascertain the business development and conditions of Japanese companies overseas. METI hereby announces that it has compiled the survey results for the period of July-September 2020.

The total sales of overseas subsidiaries of Japanese companies from July to September 2020 (in US dollar values) declined from the previous year, showing a decrease for seven consecutive quarters, while picking up at a quicker pace than that seen in the period of recovery after the collapse of Lehman Brothers, which is backed by the resumption of economic activities from the period of April-June 2020 when sales significantly declined due to suspended operation of plants and other factors affected by expansion of the novel coronavirus disease.

1. Summary of the survey results

(1) Sales

The total sales of overseas subsidiaries declined by 6.7% from the previous year, a decrease for seven consecutive quarters.

Looking at the sales of overseas subsidiaries by region (North America, Asia, and Europe), those in Asia, the region with the highest composition ratio of the overseas subsidiaries at 52.6%, declined by 4.2% from the previous year, a decrease for seven consecutive quarters. In particular, sales in the transportation equipment industry decreased.

Sales in North America (composition ratio: 29.8%) declined by 5.8% from the previous year, a decrease for four consecutive quarters, and those in Europe (composition ratio: 10.7%) also declined by 11.8% from the previous year, a decrease for nine consecutive quarters.

(2) Amount of capital investment

The total amount of capital investment by overseas subsidiaries declined by 16.4% from the previous year, a decrease for four consecutive quarters.

Looking at capital investment by region, that in Asia, the region with the highest composition ratio of the overseas subsidiaries at 47.0%, declined by 29.1%, a decrease for four consecutive quarters. In particular, capital investment in the transportation equipment industry decreased.

Capital investment in North America (composition ratio: 30.7%) declined by 5.0% from the previous year, a decrease for three consecutive quarters, and that in Europe (composition ratio: 11.2%) also declined by 22.5% from the previous year, a decrease for four consecutive quarters.

(3) Number of employees

The total number of employees in overseas subsidiaries declined by 5.3% from the previous year, a decrease for six consecutive quarters.

Looking at the number of employees by region, those in Asia, the region with the highest composition ratio of the overseas subsidiaries at 68.5%, declined by 5.5%, a decrease for six consecutive quarters. In particular, the number of employees in the transportation equipment and electrical machinery industries decreased.

The number of employees in North America (composition ratio: 14.1%) declined by 3.9% from the previous year, a decrease for three consecutive quarters, and that in Europe (composition ratio: 9.9%) also declined by 6.7% from the previous year, a decrease for three consecutive quarters.

2. Announcement of the website

The documents concerning the results of the survey are available and downloadable from the following website.

Division in Charge

Enterprise Statistics Office, Research and Statistics Department