Japan Raw Steel Output to Rise by 3.5% in April-June

Japanese raw steel output increases by 3.5% to 30.943 million tonnes in April-June from same period of 2007, according to estimate by Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. The output reaches 30 million tonnes for the first time as the quarter while the output is 2.2% higher than 30.27 million tonnes of demand estimated by METI. The output increases by 0.3% from January-March when the electric furnace steel makers increase the output by 430,000 tonnes despite of 350,000 tonnes of lower output by integrated steel makers due to maintenance. Special steel makers also increase the output by near 30,000 tonnes. The carbon steel output increases by 1.2% to 21.485 million tonnes in April-June from same period of 2007. The special steel output increase by 4.6% to 5.554 million tonnes. The finished steel output increases by 1.9% to 27.039 million tonnes. METI expects the steel using industry keeps high level activity in April-June lifting the steel output. However, the ministry warns electric furnace steel makers should be cautious when the condominium sales turned into decrease.