The two initial months of 2008 have recorded a 7.5% drop in Japan’s import of polished diamond, which amounted to $139.3 million. In volume terms year-to-date polished imports declined by 11% to 370,574 carats. Apart from diamonds, gold and platinum imports surged during the two months. Gold jewellery imports increased by 10.6% to $132.77 million, while platinum jewellery imports scaled by 17.6% to $69.7 million.

During the two months, India’s shipment of polished diamonds to Japan reduced by 19% to $53.712 million in value and by 14.5% to 258,828 carats in volume. Belgium increased its exports of polished diamonds to Japan by 23% to $38.86 million. On a year-to-date basis, Israel exported polished diamonds less by 17% to $16.73 million.