Japanese rare earth import increased to 2.5 times at 561 tonnes in November compared with a year earlier level, according to Ministry of Finance. The volume was the highest level in 5 months. The import apparently increased when Chinese speculative stockists liquidate the stock before Chinese government starts severer export control system. Japanese import of potassium fluorotantalate and indium decreased due to slower demand for personal computer and liquid crystal panel television.
Japanese rare earth import decreased to 252 tonnes in September 2011 compared with recent peak of 626 tonnes in June 2011 when Chinese speculators built the rare earth inventory. The import increased to 376 tonnes in October and 561 tonnes in November. The higher import was apparently due to Chinese severer export control system, which also controls Chinese domestic trading and production. The speculators liquidated the inventory before the system. Japanese import of potassium fluorotantalate decreased by 72% to 22 tonnes in November from a year earlier. An electronic materials maker said personal computer demand decreases worldwide when mini lap top computer users shifted to smart phone. The demand situation reduced demand of tantalum, which is used for capacitor. A major target materials maker said South Korean makers expanded production cut for liquid crystal panel television. Japanese import of indium, which is used for transparent electrode of liquid crystal panel, was 36 tonnes in November as a year earlier level. The volume is lower than averaged 48 tonnes in January-June 2011.