Japan Stainless Cold-Rolled Sheet Import Jumps by 28.1% in 2007

Japanese stainless steel sheet import increased by 28.1% to 192,988 tonnes in 2007 from 2006 including hot- and cold-rolled sheet, according to Ministry of Finance. Japanese stainless long products import decreased by 4.8% to 11,308 tonnes. The stainless tube decreased by 51.8% to 2338 tonnes for seamless tube while increased by 9.3% to 5,634 tonnes for welded tube.Cold-rolled sheet products import increased by 29.8% to 90,106 tonnes in 2007 from 2006.Cold-rolled products import from South Korea increased by 18.4% to 71,062 tonnes, which accounted for 78.9% of all cold-rolled sheet products import.Stainless bar import decreased by 33.8% to 6,182 tonnes. Stainless shaped steel import decreased by 8.8% to 635 tonnes. Stainless wire rod import decreased by 4.8% to 11308 tonnes.