UPDATE 2-China overtakes Japan as world's top coal importer

* China overtakes Japan as biggest coal importer for 1st time

* Unclear whether it will maintain position in 2012

* 2011 China coal imports up 10.8 pct yr/yr (Adds graphic, details)

By Osamu Tsukimori

TOKYO, Jan 26 (Reuters) - China overtook Japan as the world's top coal importer for the first time in 2011, customs data from the countries showed, partly driven by robust Chinese demand.

Japan had held the No.1 position since at least 1975 until 2010, the International Energy agency's Coal Information showed.

China, also the world's biggest coal producer and consumer, imported 182.4 million tonnes of the fuel in 2011, 10.8 percent higher than a year earlier, data from the country showed.

Japan's customs-cleared imports fell 5.1 percent to 175.2 million tonnes last year, hurt by slack demand for coking coal as steelmakers curbed production.

It is unclear whether China will retain this position, however, as a Reuters poll last month showed the country's coal imports are expected to grow at a slower pace in 2012, as domestic appetite moderates and home production rises.