LAUNCESTON, Australia, Aug 27 Reuters Asia39;s imports of seaborne thermal coal ticked up in August to the highest in eight months, but the strength was largely driven by North Asia39;s developed economies rather than the usual heavyweights of China and India.

A total of 79.87 million metric tons of the fuel predominantly used to generate electricity will arrive at Asian ports in August, according to data compiled by commodity analysts Kpler.

This is up from 77.1 million tons in July and is the highest since December39;s 80.54 million.

Asia39;s demand for thermal coal has accelerated in recent months amid warmerthanusual summer weather, which has boosted demand for air conditioning.

The increased demand for coal used in power generation has been most keenly felt in the developed economies of North Asia, namely Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.

Japan, Asia39;s thirdbiggest coal importer behind China and India, is on track for imports of 9.09 million tons of thermal coal in August, down from July39;s 9.53 million, according to Kpler.

But July and August are Japan39;s two strongest months for thermal coal imports since the peak winter month of January, and August39;s arrivals are also higher than the 8.91 million in the same month last year.

South Korea, Asia39;s fourthranked coal importer, is on track for imports of 8.27 million tons in August, the highest since July 2022 and up from 6.58 million in July.

Taiwan39;s imports are estimated at 4.13 million tons in August,…