According to statistics released by Japan's Ministry of Finance, Japan's nickel ore imports totaled 353,809 metric tons in February this year, falling by 2.9 percent month on month and up 2.4 percent compared to February 2012.

Meanwhile, in the first two months of 2013 Japan's nickel ore imports amounted to 718,187 metric tons, increasing by 8.5 percent year on year. The value of these imports came to RMB 4.3 billion ($45.5 million), rising by 4.6 percent compared to the same period of 2012.

In February, Japan's nickel ore imports from Indonesia amounted to 173,610 metric tons, up 2.8 percent year on year, while the Philippines exported 149,018 mt of nickel ore to Japan in February, rising 2.5 percent year on year. Meanwhile, New Caledonia's nickel ore exports to Japan rose slightly compared to February 2012 in the month in question to 31,181 mt.