Japan Import Steel Stock Drops by 3.7% in December

Hanwa Co. announced on Friday Japanese imported steel inventory at quay in Tokyo and Osaka decreased by 3.7% or 8,000 tonnes to 209,000 tonnes at end of December from November, which decreased for 3 consecutive months. The stock level decreased by 4.1% or 9,000 tonnes at end of December compared with the same month of last year.The stock in Tokyo decreased at the ended of December from November, which decreased for 3 consecutive months. The stock in Osaka decreased in 6 months fro the first time though the stock had been increased with the items until November. The stock of all items decreased at end of December from November except for cold rolled coil in Osaka.The stock decreased by 5.4% or 5,000 tonnes to 87,000 tonnes in Tokyo in December from November. The stock decreased by 1,000 tonnes to 7,000 tonnes for steel plate, by 3,000 tonnes or 5.6% to 51,000 tonnes for hot rolled coil and by 1,000 tonnes or 3.3% to 29,000 tonnes for cold rolled coil.The stock decreased by 2.4% or 3,000 tonnes to 122,000 tonnes in Osaka in December from November. The stock decreased by 17.0% or 2,000 tonnes to 10,000 tonnes for steel plate and by 7.1% or 2,000 tonnes to 26,000 tonnes for hot rolled coil while the stock increased by 1.2% or 1,000 tonnes to 86,000 tonnes for cold rolled coil.