Crude Steel Production in Fiscal 2013 to Greatly-exceed 110 Million Tons

Japan crude steel production in fiscal 2013 is expected to greatly-exceed 110 million tons. It in the first half is around 56 million tons, and in the second half it might exceed the first half level on the background of improving demand for manufacturing including automobile and demand expansion for construction. Steel market is underlying upward trend in anticipation of tight supply, and more output than expected drive up the profit of iron and steel makers.