According to statistics released by Japan's Ministry of Finance, Japan's iron ore imports totaled 11.5 million metric tons in August this year, falling by 4.3 percent month on month and down five percent compared to August 2012.
Japan's iron ore imports amounted to 90.1 million metric tons in the first eight months of 2013, up slightly compared to the same period of last year.
In August this year, Japan's iron ore imports from Australia fell by 17.2 percent to 6.98 million metric tons, while Brazil exported 2.88 million mt of iron ore to Japan, increasing by 6.5 percent, both year on year.