According to statistics released by Japan's Ministry of Finance, Japan's iron ore imports amounted to 66.45 million metric tons in the first half of 2013, increasing slightly by 0.6 percent year on year. The ministry's data show that Japan's iron ore import value in the first half was almost $789 million, decreasing by 3.9 percent compared to the same period of 2012.
In the period in question, Japan's iron ore imports from Australia rose by 3.2 percent compared to January-June 2012 to 41.3 million metric tons, while Brazil exported 17.9 million mt of iron ore to Japan, falling by 7.25 percent year on year.
Japan's iron ore imports totaled 10.4 million metric tons in June this year, falling by 21.3 percent month on month and down eight percent compared to June 2012.