Japanese rare earth import increased to 2.2 times at 720 tonnes in January from a year earlier, according to Ministry of Finance. The import hit the highest level since May 2010. The averaged import unit price decreased by 43% to 10,528 yen per kilogram from the peak of October 2011.
Chinese government started designated voucher system for rare earth trading. The government apparently tries to control illegal mining and speculative trading. International rare earth market price is decreasing when Chinese speculators liquidate the inventory. Japanese rare metal import was lower in January than a year earlier level despite year on year increase in the rare earth import. The indium import decreased to around a quarter at 11 tonnes when transparent electrode output decreased due to slow demand for liquid crystal panel. The import of potassium fluorotantalate, which is used to condenser of mobile appliance, decreased to 10 tonnes.