Japan Rebar Production Decreases for 3 Straight Years

Japanese annual production of small steel bar decreased by 2.7% to 11.127 million tonnes in 2005 from 2004, declining for 3 consecutive years, according to Ministry of Economy, trade and Industry. The production of concrete reinforcing steel bar decreased by 2.9% to 10.178 million tonnes. The production decreased when electric furnace steel makers regulated their output volume, although domestic construction investment was expected to increase in 2005 from 2004. Annual shipment of small steel bar decreased by 2.1% to 11.201 million tonnes. In detail, the domestic shipment declined by 1.8% to 10.71 million tonnes and the export by around 10% to 491,483 tonnes. Total inventory of small steel bar decreased by 13.3% to 480,739 tonnes at Japanese makers and dealers in December 2005 from the previous month. The inventory ratio to shipment decreased by 13 points to 51.1%. Monthly rebar production decreased by 6.3% to 870,282 tonnes in December 2005 from the previous month, increasing by 15% from a year ago. Rebar shipment decreased by 6.6% to 940,393 tonnes in December from a month ago, increasing by 8.7% from a year ago. Domestic shipment decreased by 7.9% to 904,867 tonnes from a month ago, increasing by 8.9% from a year ago, and the export increased by 47% to 35,526 tonnes.