Japan's coal imports rose 11.8% in May 2026 from a year earlier to 11.54 million tonnes, according to preliminary trade data released by the Ministry of Finance on June 17.

Coal import value surged 43.7% year on year to 289.87 billion yen ($1.81 billion).

Imports from the United States totaled 1.05 million tonnes, down 7.8% from a year earlier, while value rose 11.2% to 25.13 billion yen. Russian coal imports plunged 54.4% to 90,000 tonnes, with value falling 60.3% to 1.53 billion yen.

Thermal coal imports reached 6.6 million tonnes, up 14.1% year on year, with value rising 47.3% to 148.23 billion yen.

US thermal coal imports rose 31.4% to 387,000 tonnes, with value up 43.1% to 7.23 billion yen. Russian thermal coal imports fell 10% to 90,000 tonnes, with value down 21.1% to 1.53 billion yen.

Imports from Asia totaled 1.68 million tonnes, up 41.9% year on year, with value rising 82.5% to 38.5 billion yen. Thermal coal imports from the region were 608,000 tonnes, up 33.8%, with value up 64.8% to 12.32 billion yen.

Imports from ASEAN countries reached 1.64 million tonnes, up 47.5% year on year, with value surging 94.3% to 36.95 billion yen. Thermal coal imports from ASEAN rose 42.7% to 608,000 tonnes, with value up 79% to 12.32 billion yen.

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports fell 15.1% year on year to 3.96 million tonnes, with value down 3% to 391.95 billion yen.