Japan Fording Steel Output Rises by 9% in April-June

Japanese casting and forging steel output increased in June both from a year earlier and from May, according to report of 77 casting plants and 20 forging plants by the association. The forging steel output increased by 9% in April-June from same period of 2005 while the casting steel output was flat. The forging output could increase more than expected under higher activity of shipbuilding and automobile industries.

See attached file.