Beijing - In 2011 China overtook Japan and became the world's top coal importer. Data from the International Energy Agency's Coal Information Service indicates that since 1975 Japan had systematically taken first place. In 2011 however, China, already the world's largest producer and consumer of coal, imported 182.4 million tons with a 10.8% rise compared to the previous year. Japan's imports instead fell to 175.2 million tons, down 5.1% compared to 2010. That said, it is not certain that China will maintain first position in 2012; a projection by Reuters shows that this year coal imports in China could rise more slowly due to increased internal production and a possible fall in demand. Furthermore, should the nuclear reactors not resume operations following opposition from public opinion after the Fukushima disaster, Japanese demand for thermal coal could rise 8.3% in 2012-2013.