Japan Raw Steel Increases for 17 Consecutive Months

Japanese raw steel output increased by 2.7% to 10.372 million tonnes in October from a year ago, announced by Japan Iron and Steel Federation on Monday, and increased for 17 consecutive months due to strong demand for mainly high grade steel product in Japan and overseas. The output increased to 99.698 million tonnes by 3.7% for January-October or 10 months compared to a year ago.The converter steel output increased by 3.3% to 7.655 million tonnes in October from a year ago while the electric furnace steel output increased by 1.0% to 2.717 million tonnes. The converter steel output increased for 12 consecutive months and the electric furnace steel in 2 months. The output was second highest as October following October 1973.The output per day increased to 334,000 tonnes by 1.1% in October compared to last month. The carbon steel output increased by 3.3% to 8.145 million tonnes in October from a year ago while the special steel output increased by 0.4% to 2.227 million tonnes. The carbon steel output increased for 17 consecutive months while the special steel output increased in 2 months for the first time.The output of hot rolled steel products increased to 9.257 million tonnes by 0.7% in October from a year ago. The output increased to 7.49 million tonnes by 2.0% for hot rolled common steel products. The output decreased to 2.182 million tonnes by 1.2% for long products while increased to 5.217 million tonnes by 3.1% for flat products. The output of hot rolled wide strips increased to 3.98 million tonnes by 2.6% in October from a year ago and increased for 17 consecutive months. The output of the steel plate increased to 1.165 million tonnes by 8.7% and increased for 12 consecutive months.The output increased to 421,000 tonnes by 5.1% for H-beam and increased for 25 consecutive months while decreased to 1.05 million tonnes by 6.0% for rebar and decreased 2 consecutive months.The output for hot rolled special steel products decreased to 1.768 million tonnes by 4.5% in October from a year ago and decreased for 2 consecutive months.