Japanese Rare Metal Import Increases by 26.7% in September

Japanese rare earth import increased by 26.7% to 630 tonnes in September from a year earlier, which represents increase for 2 months in a row, according to Ministry of Finance. Rare earth users seemed to finish the inventory adjustment and began to increase the purchase. Despite the increase in antimony and potassium fluorotantalate, the import of 16 items of rare metal decreased in September from a year earlier.

The import of rare earth showed a year-to-year increase in August and September when the magnet related users’ operation rate increased. However, the rate remains at around 70% and the demand is unclear, according to an alloy maker. The import volume was low in September.

Molybdenum concentrate import showed a year-to-year decrease in September due to the stagnation in demand for the additive in steel. Indium import decreased by 33.3% to 22 tonnes in September from a year earlier. However, indium tin oxide is in full capacity operation and indium tin oxide target makers restarted the material purchase. The import would increase in October.