Low Level Japan Rare Earth Import in July

Japanese rare earth import was very low in July compared with the same month a year ago, according to Ministry of Finance. The procurement by the users was low while the permanent magnet demand is increasing. The users kept the purchase of indium and other metals low. However, the import of potassium fluorotantalate and bismuth increased in July from a year earlier. The rare metals import is improving from the bottom.

Japanese rare earth import decreased by 48% to 316 tonnes in July from a year earlier. The production of rare earth magnet is improving when the automobile and home electronics demand is recovering. However, the users keep the purchase low when they reduce material inventory. The inventory adjustment by the users seems to be progressing. One trader source expects the users could increase the purchase from October.

The potassium fluorotantalate import increased to 3 times at 88 tonnes in July from a year earlier. The users stopped the purchase in March and April due to the decrease in demand and restarted the purchase in May.