Japan's coal imports in October 2025 rebounded from September, with Australian cargoes leading the increase, according to the latest official statistics.

The country imported 14.53 million tonnes of the fossil fuel in the month, up 6.69% month on month (MoM), official data showed.

The imports were worth 291.81 billion yen ($1.87 billion) in October, up 10.27 MoM but down 17.65% year on year (YoY), translating into an average price of 20,086.33 yen/t, up 3.36% MoM while down 20.34% YoY.

The majority of imports came from Australia, which contributed 10.11 million tonnes of coal to Japan, marking the fourth time shipments surpassed the 10-Mt level this year and up 21.56% or 1.79 million tonnes MoM. Eased vessel queues at Newcastle port improved logistic efficiency and coal exports.

Australian coal still accounted for 70% of Japan's total coal imports in October, expanding by 9 percentage points MoM and retaining its place as the leading supplier. The import value grew 24.52% MoM to 204.05 billion yen, with an average price of 20,192.45 yen/t, increasing 2.43% MoM.

Indonesia was the second-biggest supplier with shipments at 2.45 million tonnes, accounting for 17% of the country's total imports, down 14.80% MoM and 7.94% YoY. The import value stood at 45.02 billion yen, with an average price of 18,383.17 yen/t, increasing 5.97% MoM yet falling 16.76% YoY.

Canada was the third-largest source with shipments at 691,300 tonnes, occupying 5% of the total imports, climbing 17.56% MoM but dropping 8.21% YoY. The import value reached 15.84 billion yen, with an average price of 22,914.47 yen/t, increasing 11.64% MoM while decreasing 26.58% YoY.

Followed by the U.S. at 686,700 tonnes, down 47.97% MoM and 29.51% YoY, accounting for 5% of the total. The import value reached 14.84 billion yen, with an average price of 21,612.82 yen/t, rising 1.24% MoM but sinking 16.09% YoY.

South Africa was in fifth place with deliveries of 255,700 tonnes, gaining 27.39% MoM and 28.72% YoY, accounting for 2%. The import value reached 4.53 billion yen, with an average price of 17,719.89 yen/t, increasing 2.66% MoM yet falling 11.17% YoY.

Thermal coal made up 64% of Japan's coal imports in October at 9.32 million tonnes, up 9.58% YoY and 11.52% MoM. The imports were valued at 171.45 billion yen. The average import price was calculated at 18,398.60 yen/t, rising 3.07% MoM but sliding 19.26% YoY.

Coking coal imports were 4.96 million tonnes in October, down 1.13% YoY but up 1.76% MoM, accounting for 34% of total coal imports. The imports were worth 113.42 billion yen, putting the average import price at 22,854.66 yen/t, diving 20.75% YoY while increasing 4.92% MoM.

Anthracite imports were 245,500 tonnes in October, plunging 53.59% YoY and 35.90% MoM, taking up 2% of the total. Lignite imports were 700 tonnes, up 50.95% YoY and 16.67% MoM.

From January to October, Japan imported 134 million tonnes of coal, down 1.87% YoY, with shipments from Australia down 0.59% YoY to 88.53 million tonnes, representing 66% of the total.

Separately, Japan's coke imports reached 82,000 tonnes in October, rising 29.46% YoY and 38.01% MoM. The imports were worth 3.09 billion yen. The average import price was calculated at 37,695.44 yen/t, down 21.18% YoY and 4.76% MoM. Coke imports from China accounted for 95% of the total in the month.

In the first ten months of the year, Japan's coke imports totaled 857,200 tonnes, advancing 20.35% YoY, data showed.