Meissner, Christopher M.Tang, John2021-07-300022-0507http://hdl.handle.net/1885/241626Between 1880 and 1910, Japanese exports increased in volume, changed composition, and shifted from leading industrialized countries toward poorer Asian neighbors. Using a new dataset disaggregated by product and trade partner for the universe of Japanese exports, we find extensive margins accounted for 30 percent of export growth, with trade costs and market size associated with successful market entry. There was also considerable persistence in maintaining market presence and exit was rare. These stylized facts provide insight into both the country's economic development, as reflected in its exported products, as well as the demand conditions of its trade partners.This research is supported by the Australian Research Council (DE120101426) and a small grant from the UC Davis Faculty Senate.© 2018 The Economic History Association2018-09-1910.1017/S0022050718000517