According to statistics released by Japan's Ministry of Finance, Japan's iron ore imports totaled 12.3 million metric tons in August this year, rising by 21.7 percent month on month and up slightly by 0.2 percent compared to August 2011.
In the first eight months of 2012, Japan's iron ore imports amounted to 88.4 million metric tons, increasing by four percent year on year.
In August this year, Japan's iron ore imports from Australia rose by 2.4 percent compared to the same month of last year to 8.4 million metric tons, while Brazil exported 2.7 million mt of iron ore to Japan in August, falling by 15.7 percent year on year.