Japan Carbon Steel Import Drops by 2.5% in 2008

Japanese carbon steel import decreased to 3.693 million tonnes by 2.5% in 2008 from 2007, announced by Japan Iron and Steel Federation on Thursday. The import decreased when domestic steel inventory increased rapidly from autumn due to slower demand with slowing manufacturing activity, and dealers and users hold the buying. The special steel import decreased to 218,193 tonnes by 26.1% in 2008 over the previous year while secondary processed products import increased to 637,889 tonnes by 1.0%.

The import increased to 15,375 tonnes by 18.0% for steel bar in 2008 from 2007, 227,211 tonnes by 21.4% for plate, 971,788 tonnes by 1.1% for cold-rolled sheet while the import decreased to 224555 tonnes by 11.2% for wire rod, 1.64 million tonnes by 4.1% and 357160 tonnes by 3.8% for galvanizing sheet.

The carbon steel import decreased to 276,898 tonnes by 8.1% in December from a year earlier, which decreased for 2 consecutive months. The import decreased to 151,676 tonnes by 10.7% from South Korea, 56,886 tonnes by 11.9% from China and 57,694 tonnes by 4.1% from Taiwan.