According to statistics released by Japan's Ministry of Finance, Japan's iron ore imports amounted to 131.1 million metric tons in 2012, increasing by 2.1 percent year on year. In 2011, the country's iron ore imports had decreased by 4.4 percent year on year. The ministry data shows that Japan's iron ore import value in 2012 was almost $16.4 billion, decreasing by 10.2 percent compared to 2011.

Japan's iron ore imports totaled 9.4 million metric tons in December 2012, falling by 20.5 percent month on month and down 8.9 percent compared to December 2011.

Last year, Japan's iron ore imports from Australia rose by just 0.6 percent compared to 2011 to 80.7 million metric tons, while Brazil exported 37.7 million mt of iron ore to Japan, rising by three percent year on year.