Japan Steel Frame Demand Forecasted to Increase by 10% in F2011

Japanese steel frame demand is forecasted to increase by around 10% and approach 5 million tonnes in fiscal 2011 starting in April compared with fiscal 2010. Large size building projects are expected to appear mainly around Tokyo and Osaka while plant construction projects would increase for battery or clean energy industry. Meanwhile, the demand would maintain 70% of pre-shock level in fiscal 2007.

Domestic steel frame demand was above 7 million tonnes per year until fiscal 2007. The demand dropped to 5.89 million tonnes in fiscal 2008 and hit below 4 million tonnes in fiscal 2009. In fiscal 2010, steel frame output has gradually increased along several large size building projects mainly around Tokyo. The annual demand is expected to represent 10-20% higher at 4.3-4.5 million tonnes in fiscal 2010 than in fiscal 2009.