Japan Steel Export Rises by 7.9% in 2006

Japanese steel export increased by 7.9% to 35.185 million tonnes in 2006 from a year earlier, representing increases for 2 years in a row, and was 4th high level in the past, announced by Japan Iron and Steel Federation on Friday. The export value increased by 8.1% to US$ 32.018 billion in 2006 from a year ago, which exceeded US$ 30 billion for the first time and renewed highest for 4 consecutive years. In yen rate, the total value was 3.721 trillion yen, the 3rd high in the past. Common steel export increased by 5.7% to 24.342 million tonnes while special steel increased by 16.1% to 5.326 million tonnes. The export increased by 16.9% to 6.751 million tonnes for hot-rolled wide strip in 2006, by 6.9% for zinc coated steel sheet and by 7.5% for steel plate. The export decreased by 6.3% for cold-rolled wide strip. The total steel export increased by 13.2% to 8.758 million tonnes for South Korea in 2006 from a year earlier. The export increased by 7.2% to 6.198 million tonnes for China and by 37.2% to 1.991 million tonnes for USA, while decreased by 9.2% to 3.724 million tonnes for Thailand and by 2.1% to 3.528 million tonnes for Taiwan. The total steel export increased by 18.5% to 3.189 million tonnes in December 2006 from a year earlier, increasing for 8 consecutive months. The export value increased by 21.1% to US$ 3.1 billion or 4.63 million in December 2006 from a year ago, which increased for 7 consecutive months and hit highest since March 2006. In yen the value increased by 18.2% to 362.1 billion yen, representing increase for 37 consecutive months.