Japan Raw Steel Output Decreases by 0.7% in January

Japanese raw steel output decreased by 0.7% to 9.455 million tonnes in January from a year earlier, representing decreases for 7 months in a row, announced by Japan Iron and Steel Federation on Friday. The output decreased by 0.5% to 94.166 million tonnes in April 2005 to January 2006 from same period of previous year. The output is likely to be just more than 112 million tonnes for the year to March 2006 compared with 112.9 million tonnes in previous year when integrated steel makers try to reduce domestic sheet inventory. The converter steel output decreased by 2.3% to 7.128 million tonnes in January from a year earlier while the electric furnace steel output increased by 4.7% to 2.327 million tonnes. The converter steel output decreased for 4 consecutive months while electric furnace output increased for 2 months in a row. The carbon steel output decreased by 1.7% to 7.297 million tonnes in January from a year earlier while the special steel output increased by 3.1% to 2.158 million tonnes. The carbon steel output decreased for 8 months in a row while the special steel output increased for the first time in 2 months exceeding the monthly record of 2.144 million tonnes in May 2005. The hot rolled steel products output including special steel decreased by 4.7% to 8.317 million tonnes in January from a year earlier. The carbon steel rolled products output decreased by 5.7% to 6.586 million tonnes. The largest item of flat steel output decreased by 13.9% to 3.459 million tonnes, representing decreased for 8 months in a row. The plate output increased by 4.7% to 1.04 million tonnes representing first increase in 3 months. The small bar output increased by 12.6% to 902,000 tonnes representing increased for 4 months in a row. The special steel rolled products output decreased by 0.6% to 1.731 million tonnes representing decreased for 2 months in a row.