Japan Billet Export Decreases by 22.3% in 2006

Japanese billet export decreased by 22.3% to 801,311 tonnes in 2006 from 2005, according to Ministry of Finance. The export decreased by 14.9% to 444,878 tonnes for South Korea, by 6.4% to 179,437 tonnes for Taiwan, by 4.6% to 89,084 tonnes for China and by 66% to 60,209 tonnes for Vietnam. The export was 74,362 tonnes in December 2006, increasing by 49.5% from November 2006 while decreasing by 16% fromDecember 2005. The export was 34,463 tonnes for South Korea which increased by 30.3% from previous month and decreased by 4.1% from a year ago. The export for Taiwan almost doubled to 19,711 tonnes from November 2006 while decreased by 8.6% fromDecember 2005. The export was 9,700 tonnes for China and 6,056 tonnes for Vietnam.