Japan Carbon Steel Import Decreases by 8.9% in July

Japanese carbon steel import decreased by 8.9% to 335,208 tonnes in July from June, according to Japan Iron & Steel Federation. The import downturned for the first time in 5 months while kept above 300,000 tonnes for 4 consecutive months. Shipbuilders, appliance makers and building constructors seem increasing adoption of cheaper imports due to higher yen rate. Domestic steel makers are concerned on increase of imported products.

The import decreased by 58.0% to 6,319 tonnes for H-beam in July from June, by 15.3% to 1,979 tonnes for steel bar, by 15.4% to 32,320 tonnes for wire rod, by 16.6% to 19,072 tonnes for plate, by 6.3% to 141,887 tonns for hot rolled sheet and by 9.3% to 30,391 tonnes for zinc coated sheet. Meanwhile, the import increased by 4.6% to 84,535 tonnes for cold rolled sheet and by 2.8% to 10,362 tonnes for steel tube.

The import from South Korea decreased by 8.7% to 187,873 tonnes in July from June while downed by 16.6% to 76,709 tonnes from China. The import from Taiwan increased by 12.0% to 62,491 tonnes. The import from China seems to have decreased since Chinese government abolished trade tax rebate for some steel products on July 15.