Japan Crude Steel Output Increases by 5.3% in January

Japanese crude steel output increased by 5.3% to 9.655 million tonnes in January from the previous month, which increased for 2 months in a row, according to japan Iron and Steel Federation. The output per day increased by 5.3%, first upturn in 4 months. The accumulative production for April 2010-January 2011 increased by 17.9% to 92.74 million tonnes from the same period of fiscal 2009. The production has kept above 9 million tonnes per month averagely, higher by 1.6 million tonnes than the monthly average in fiscal 2009.

Converter steel production increased by 7.8% to 7.677 million tonnes in January from last month, plus for 2 months in a row, while electric furnace steel production decreased by 3.5% to 1.978 million tonnes, minus for 3 consecutive months.

Carbon crude steel output increased by 7.2% to7.471 million tonnes, plus for 2 months in a row. Special crude steel output decreased by 0.8% to 2.184 million tonnes, first minus in 2 months.

By items, hot rolled steel products increased by 3.7% to 8.481 million tonnes, plus for 2 months in a row. Carbon steel hot rolled products increased by 4.7% to 6.659 million tonnes, plus for 2 months, while special steel hot rolled products increased by 0.4% to 1.822 million tonnes, plus for 2 months.