Japan's diamond tool exports have surpassed pre-financial crisis levels. According to the latest statistical data released by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry at the end of December 2009, by the end of October 2009, the cumulative domestic production value of various types of Japanese diamond tools had severely declined, with most varieties decreasing by more than 40% compared to the same period last year (the decline in diamond cutting tools was the largest, reaching 58.7%). The smallest decline was in diamond grinding wheels and discs, which still dropped by 29.5%. Although the statistics for November and December have not been published, it is already certain that Japan's domestic production value of diamond tools will severely decline in 2009.
In contrast to the domestic production situation, Japan's total export trade value of diamond tools in October 2009 has already surpassed pre-financial crisis levels, reaching 2,306 million yen. Although the export trade value to America and Europe has not yet recovered to pre-financial crisis levels, the recovery in exports to Asia and Oceania has been very rapid. Affected by the international financial crisis, Japan's diamond tool exports to Asia and Oceania began to continuously decline from August 2008, reaching the lowest point in January 2009 (530 million yen). It started to gradually recover from February 2009, restored and surpassed the level of August 2008 by July 2009, and quickly recovered and surpassed the best level before the financial crisis by October 2009, reaching 1,968 million yen.