Japan Cast and Forged Steel Production Increases for 4 Years

Japanese production of steel cast and forged steel is expected to increase in fiscal 2006 ending March 2007 from the previous year, increasing for 4 consecutive years, announced Japan Steel Cast and Forged Association.The association forecasted the steel cast production would keep the same level in fiscal 2006 as the second half of fiscal 2005 with little renewal of equipment capability and staff reinforcement at makers.On the other hand, the forged steel production volume is already determined at most forged steel manufacturers mainly for shipbuilding and apparatus for power generation. The production volume would depend on how makers meet the active demand with their efforts to improve the productivity rather than the demand increase in fiscal 2006.