Citation: http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/money/story/japans-us-bound-exports-overtake-china-shipments-20121219
Ironically, when I was a junior high school student, a geography teacher said "When you grow up to be adults, the biggest trade partner of Japan will be China instead of United States." In fact, China became Japan's biggest trade partner in 2007 (Excluding Hong Kong).
But, in terms of Japan's bound exports, the biggest partner was replaced by United States again.
Economic recovery in United States and uprising tension between Tokyo and Beijing are expected to keep the trend.