Japan Pig Iron Output Increases by 3.5% in F2007

Japanese pig iron output increased by 3.5% to 87.87 million tonnes in fiscal 2007 ended March 2008 from the previous fiscal year. Japanese 5 integrated steel makers increased pig iron output to meet strong domestic and offshore steel market mainly for manufacturing industries. Nippon Steel increased the share by 0.2 percentage points to 36.3% and kept the top share. JFE Steel decreased the share by 0.1 points and Sumitomo Metal Industries decreased by 0.3 points. Kobe Steel and Nisshin Steel kept the shares.Nippon steel increased pig iron output by 4.2% to 31.92 million tonnes by the blast furnace expansion in Nagoya iron works and output increase in Kimitsu iron works. JFE Steel increased the output by 3.1% to 30.65 million tonnes, which exceeded 30 million tonnes for the first time. The firm expanded 5 furnace volumes during fiscal 2002-2006.Sumitomo Metals increase the output by 1.9% to 13.3 million tonnes through the expansion of a furnace volume in Kashima iron works. Kobe Steel increased the output by 3.8% to 8.36 million tonnes. Kakogawa iron works increased the output, which made up for momentary pause of Kobe iron works. Nisshin Steel increased the output by 5.5% to 3.64 million tonnes continuing high operation.Japanese pig iron output hit record high at 91.26 million tonnes in fiscal 1973. The annual output in fiscal 2007 was the forth highest.