“According to the foreign trade statistics for the first half of 2012 (Jan. – Jun.), helium imported into Japan in terms of the volume basis came to 1,142 tons, down by 4.1% over the previous year, and came to 3.4 billion yen in monetary basis, up by 10.6%.

A glance at the countries, imports from Qatar reduced by 80.3% in terms of volume basis, coming to 15 tons, and down by 78.7% in monetary basis, coming to 45 million yen. On the other hand, the US showed an increase by 1.4% in volume basis, coming to 1,126 tons, and by 11.6%, coming to 3.2 billion yen. There were imports from France and Russia from which there was no record in 2011.”