Japan imported more than 210 million short tons (MMst) of coal in 2018, making it the world’s third-largest coal-importing country after only India and China. Japan continues to use steam coal to fuel one-third of its electricity generation and metallurgical coal for raw steel production. Japan imports nearly all (99%) of the coal it consumes. Australia is Japan’s primary coal supplier, supplying 128 MMst, or 61%, of Japan’s demand in 2018. Indonesia (32 MMst), Russia (21 MMst), the United States (13 MMst), and Canada (9.6 MMst) accounted for another 35% of total coal imports. U.S. thermal coal exports to Japan ... (full story)