According to statistics released by Japan's Ministry of Finance, Japan's iron ore imports totaled 10.6 million tonnes in February this year falling by 9% MoM and up 10.4% compared to February 2012.

The ministry's data showed that Japan's iron ore import value in February was almost USD 115.6 million decreasing by 5.8% compared to the same month of 2012.

Japan's iron ore imports amounted to 22.3 million tonnes in the first two months of 2013 increasing by 6.6% YoY. In the period in question, Japan's iron ore imports from Australia rose by 6.5% compared to January to February 2012 to 12.7 million tonnes while Brazil exported 6.9 million tonnes of iron ore to Japan rising by 4.5% YoY.