According to statistics released by Japan's Ministry of Finance, Japan's iron ore imports totaled 10.6 million metric tons in February this year, falling by nine percent month on month and up 10.4 percent compared to February 2012. The ministry's data show that Japan's iron ore import value in February was almost $115.6 million, decreasing by 5.8 percent compared to the same month of 2012.
Japan's iron ore imports amounted to 22.3 million metric tons in the first two months of 2013, increasing by 6.6 percent year on year. In the period in question, Japan's iron ore imports from Australia rose by 6.5 percent compared to January-February 2012 to 12.7 million metric tons, while Brazil exported 6.9 million mt of iron ore to Japan, rising by 4.5 percent year on year.