Japanese January Polished Diamond Imports Rise Modestly

Polished diamond imports to Japan in January rose 3 percent in value to $111.85 million on imports of 257,465 carats of goods, up 1.5 percent. India was the leading source of goods to the country, supplying 45.5 percent of the goods by value, and 71.7 percent in volume.

The new year started cautiously in Japan, with only a modest increase in polished diamond imports. Imports from Hong Kong, however, rose dramatically compared to January 2005, increasing 85.8 percent in value to $10.517 million and 64 percent in volume to 26,853 carats.

Another country enjoying increased trade is Russia, which saw polished diamond exports to Japan increase 81.9 percent to $1.797 million, and more then double in volume to 918 carats.

Import charts and tables are available here.