Japan Drawn Steel Pipe Output to Rise by 5% in 2007

Japanese drawn steel pipe output will increase by around 5% in 2007 from 2006 under firm demand for automobile and construction machinery. The industry group reported the output increased by 6.6% to 146,206 tonnes in January-June from same period of 2006. The output could reach record level for the full year. The eastern Japan output increased by 8.5% to 67,099 tonnes in January-June from same period of 2006 while the western Japan output increased by 3.9% to 78,206 tonnes. The makers have increased the output since 2002 under firm demand for automobile and construction machinery including export. The makers are likely to keep full capacity operations in the year to meet the strong demand.