Japan Steel Bar Production Decreases in January

Japanese production of small sized steel bar decreased to 921,189 tonnes by 11.8% in January 2007 over the previous month while increased by 3% from a year ago, according to Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Concrete reinforcing bar was 841,594 tonnes, decreasing by 13.3% from the previous month and increasing by 3.3% from a year ago. Small sized steel bar shipment was 924,751 tonnes in January which decreased by 7.3% from December, 2006 and increased by 5.0% from a year earlier. Shipment for domestic market was 903,754 tonnes, decreasing by 6.9% from December and increasing by 5.1% from January 2006, and the export decreased by 30.6% to 20,997 tonnes while increased by 2.5% from a year ago. The inventory at domestic makers and dealers decreased by 0.6% to 617,585 tonnes in January from the previous month, which increased by 22.2% from a year earlier. The inventory at makers was 578,880 tonnes which decreased by 0.6% from December and increased by 22.6% from January 2006. The inventory at dealers increased by 0.4% and by 17.3% to 38,785 tonnes. Inventory to shipment decreased by 4.6 percentage points to 66.8% in January from the previous month.