Japanese Rare Metal Import Shows Recovery Trend in April

Japanese rare earth import increased by 2.3 times to 495 tonnes in April from a year earlier, according to the trade statistics by Ministry of Finance. Among other rare metals, the export volume also expanded for indium, antimony and tantalum.

Rare earth import increased for 2 months in a row from 356 tonnes in February. Japanese permanent magnet makers are procuring rare earths, used for motors inside cars, home appliances and tooling machines. However, the demand was not as strong as above 900 tonnes in November 2009 or above 700 tonnes in December 2009 and January 2010.

Indium import expanded by 5 times from a year earlier. Japanese sputtering target makers continue material procurement though ITO (indium-tin-oxide) production is slightly slowing down at present.

Antimony import has also recovered. Antimony trioxide makers’ operating rate is currently returning to 90% of the recent peak. Tantalum (potassium fluorotantalate) import was 115 tonnes in April. In April 2009, there was no tantalum import due to inventory adjustment of capacitors.