Japan Rebar Makers Plan Higher Output in May

Japanese small bar making electric furnace steel makers increase the output rate in a-week long holiday of early May. They increase the output with cheaper electricity cost during the holiday when they have order 4-6 months backlog around Tokyo and 2-3 months order around Osaka. The construction demand keeps firm for condominium and office building nationwide. The makers are expected to increase the output in May. Rebar makers around Tokyo have 4 months of order backlog for base and large sized diameter products and 4-6 months order for small size. They keep the order backlog though some makers reduce the acceptance of new order. They increase the operation more in the holiday than before though they stopped the operation for 3-4 days in 2006 and for 7 days in 2005. Rebar makers around Osaka will increase the output in May from April when most of them finish planned maintenance in April. The largest rebar maker of Kyoei Steel reduces the new order acceptance by 50% in April from March. However, the local makers keep 3 months of order backlog.