What is the role of industry in Japan’s economy? Industry has a small role as Japan’s economy is primarily based on the export of raw materials. Industry has a small role as Japan’s economy is primarily based on the export of raw materials. Business and financial sectors, not industry, are the basis of Japan’s economy. Business and financial sectors, not industry, are the basis of Japan’s economy. Japan’s economy is primarily focused on industrial manufacturing and manufactured goods. Japan’s economy is primarily focused on industrial manufacturing and manufactured goods. Japan has only recently begun industrializing because of its traditional focus on agriculture. Japan has only recently begun industrializing because of its traditional focus on agriculture.