# **Merchandise trade (% of GDP)**
The "Merchandise trade (% of GDP)" is an economic indicator that measures the total value of a country's merchandise trade, which includes both **exports and imports of goods**, as a percentage of its **Gross Domestic Product (GDP)**.
- This indicator provides insight into the extent of a country's openness to international trade relative to the size of its economy.
- The chart displays the **Merchandise trade (% of GDP)** for **Japan** over a 23-year period, from **2000 to 2022**.
- As an **industrialized economy**, **Japan** has a strong export sector, particularly in **electronics and automobiles**.